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
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.”
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
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
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
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
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
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
Jane waited until all the warriors had left for the ritual before making her way through the halls of the packhouse. Her fist tightened around the key wrapped in a note she received from one of the guards–a man with a creepy obsession with Frieda. Jane thought it was a trap set by Lillian, but at the moment, she didn’t have any other option. “They locked Lacey and Frieda in the west wing, the room with the black doors. After the feast.”Jane cursed under her breath again. The west wing was desolate, but she knew there would be a guard or two stationed there. As she approached the main staircase, she slowed her pace, her ears catching the faint murmurs of voices below. She peeked over the railing and spotted two warriors stationed at the bottom of the steps. Sneaking past them was impossible. She needed a distraction. She looked around and noticed a small statue perched on a pedestal. Quietly, she slipped toward it, her heart pounding. With much more effort than she anticipated, she
This worked way better than expected. Lillian thought as she strode into the room where Mason lay, his muscular arms wrapped protectively around a trembling Xenia. She twirled the little pouch to break the spell, seeing the control Melania had over him was still in effect. Though if it was up to her, Lillian would let the effect last as long as she could. She approached the side of the bed where Xenia was looking straight ahead, her eyes wide with unshed tears. Lillian crouched down, her face level with Xenia’s. When Lillian’s hand reached out to brush a strand of Xenia’s hair back, Xenia flinched, but Mason’s grip kept her in place.“You brought this on yourself, you know,” Lillian mused. “All you had to do was cooperate.”“Fuck… you,” Xenia stuttered.Lillian laughed. “I think we both know who just got fuck. What? You can’t handle a bit of rough play?”Xenia wanted to reach out and claw Lillian’s face but Mason had her locked down. Lillian crouched, meeting Xenia’s angry gaze with
**TRIGGER: ASSAULT**Xenia’s fingers brushed the cold windowpane as she gazed out into the night, the Red Moon hung ominously in the sky. Its crimson glow bathed the landscape in an unsettling light, a reminder of the ritual to come. Tonight, everything will change. She could feel the weight of it pressing down on her. No matter how much Nova tried to reassure her that everything was going to be okay.“Do you feel that?” Nova asked. Xenia knew what she was talking about. There was power in the air. Something that seemed to call to the both of them. Or more like someone.“Mason?” Xenia asked.“No. Micah.”Xenia closed her eyes, searching in the darkness for something to hold on to. Was he really here? Was she really saved? A hand on her shoulder shook her from her thoughts as Tammy stood behind her with her dress.“Everything is safely tucked in, Luna,” Tammy said, laying the dress on the nook bench. Xenia exhaled slowly, gripping the towel wrapped around her as if she was cold, but
Mason stood in the dimly lit chamber, the flickering light from the torches casting shadows on the stone walls. In front of him, chained to opposite walls, were Micah, with bruises all over his body, and Cristobal, bound and barely conscious, yet still seething with defiance.Rick stood silently by the door, arms crossed, his eyes flicking between the three of them, awaiting orders.Mason tapped his fingers on the hilt of the knife he held, lazily spinning it in his grip as if it were a mere toy. He paced back and forth in front of his captives, stopping occasionally to inspect them with a twisted sense of amusement. "So, plans, dear brother. Let's discuss those. I’m sure you didn’t crash my little party just for a scenic tour of the dungeon." He stopped abruptly, crouching in front of Micah, his smirk twisting into something crueler. “Or are you going to let our brave soldier boy here spill his guts for you?”Micah didn’t respond. His breathing was labored, but his eyes—those damn e
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