Well, it's not the kind of menage a trois people typically get, but I'm excited to see how this plays out.
Everything moved in slow motion as Xenia tried to focus on the scene before her. One moment she felt pure ecstasy; the next, a giant ass werewolf crashed through her window, lunging straight toward Cristobal. Her first thought was Illipio since he didn't like Cristobal much, but this werewolf was too big, and the fur was pure black with a white patch and red eyes. Those eyes, she thought. They look familiar. She watched as Cristobal quickly evaded the werewolf and rolled out of the way into the hall. Cristobal's eyes went from the werewolf to her. His mouth was moving, but she couldn't register what he said. 'There was a werewolf in my room' was the only thing her mind kept replaying until it fully registered. She couldn't move for a moment until a piece of wood fell from her ceiling, breaking her out of her trance. "There's a werewolf in my room," Xenia yelled. She jumped into action and rolled across her bed away from the werewolf, whose attention was on Cristobal. She watche
Before Xenia could second-guess herself, she grabbed her axe off the floor and bolted out the door. She instantly regretted not wearing shoes the moment her feet touched the ground. There was a chill in the night air, and it became apparent when Xenia realized the only thing covering her was the black teddy. I can't think of that now. It would only be a matter of time before he seeks her out. So she ran through the trees, heading back towards the town. Occasionally, she would look back to see if he was coming. After a few more minutes, she felt like her lungs would burst, cursing herself for not joining Lottie on her morning runs. Xenia started to slow down to a fast walk until she heard a howl. She looked behind, waiting for the big mass of black fur to show up, but it wasn't black. The werewolf running towards her was a medium-sized with brown fur and soft gray eyes. "Illipio!" Xenia didn't think she wanted to see any kind of wolf. Still, she wrapped her arms around Illipio's
This woman was something else. Mason thought as he smiled at her determination to keep going. This was supposed to be a simple grab-and-go, but alas, here they were. She challenged him every step of the way, proving how viable she was to be his vessel. He was beyond impressed, but now he was ready for this night to be over. He watched as she let go of the branch. She fell into his arms, and they both took a sharp breath, feeling the connection taking hold of their bodies. Mason took this moment to pull her closer to his chest while Xenia eyed the axe. Oblivious to her plan, Mason caressed the side of her neck with his nose. Even under the mud, he could still pick up her scent as if it was tattooed on his brain. Xenia was acutely aware of his excitement against her thigh as he allowed her feet to touch the ground. "Mate," he whispered against her skin, causing her body to shiver. Xenia didn't like the effect he had on her. So much so that she gathered all her hate and kicked h
It was all a dream. Right? Xenia was with Cristobal, but they were interrupted by a giant werewolf. She tried to fight, but in the end, she failed. She was killed or captured or… Her body jerked forward as if something stopped. She felt herself slowly coming to. Her eyes felt like they weighed a ton, as everything in her line of sight was blurred. It took seconds for her vision to make out she was in a carriage. She took a few deep breaths to focus more on her surroundings when she heard voices outside the carriage. She slowly sat up to peek out the window and noticed she was far from home. Instead of being surrounded by pine and oak trees, she recognized the kapok trees with red blossoms. Underneath one of the trees, she saw him standing next to another man of a similar build with short blonde hair. They were relieving themselves with their backs facing her. "She's going to be pissed when she finds out who this human is to you," the blonde man laughed. Mason grunted at him. "Sh
Later that night, sitting around the campfire, Xenia listened to the bandits as they laughed and told stories about the things they had done. She didn't want to listen to it, but it took her mind away from her predicament. They provided her with a short cloak to help cover her body as if they didn't have a spare pair of pants. She pulled it tight around her as the air started to chill when the sun went down. Xenia ate bits and pieces from her plate of food, not really feeling very hungry, but she had to eat something. After everything that had happened, she had to keep her strength up to run away in case of more danger. Her mind flashed back to seeing Cristobal's body on the floor. He wasn't moving. Is he dead? He was trying to protect her and died. Then Illipio, her loyal friend, tried protecting her and was gone just the same. She could never forgive herself for that. She could feel her emotions building inside her, wanting to come out of her eyes, but she shook her head. No, I
Trigger warning: sexual assault All Mason could see was red when that beast of a man touched his mate. They would all be dead at that moment if it wasn't for Kane, but he was right. This had to be done discreetly and under the guise of night. He couldn't risk bringing any attention to them, especially with the pack not being too far from there. It only took a few hours to get there, assemble a small team of werewolves, and return to the bandits' camp. They used their senses to stay away from the bandits' radar as he sent four of his men to get the lay of the land and study their habits. They waited a little over an hour before his men returned with details. There were a little over thirty armed bandits in the entire camp. The four posts surrounding the camp always had two men patrolling it, switching up every two hours. Mason gathered his men in a circle. "We will wait until night and use the cover of darkness. Only shift if it's essential. Don't attack until I give you the si
Mason stalked closer to the tent as he kept his gaze on the two guards standing in front. He could hear their conversation from his position. "Of course, he's the first one to have a go with her," the taller one said with a grunt. "They're usually despondent after he's finished. It takes the joy out of it when it's my turn." The shorter one laughed. "That's the way it is with Barrick. I'm just glad he shares. It's been a while since we had one so…" He moved his hands in an hourglass shape. They laughed again, and it took only a second for Mason to understand what they were discussing. They wanted to touch his mate. "Kill them! Kill them ALL!" Rodin roared inside his head. The thought of anyone touching their mate in that way made their blood boil. Before he could react, they all heard sounds coming from inside the tent. "Looks like this one is feisty," the shorter one grinned. "Those are the best ones to break. I wondered how-" Mason moved before the bandit could finish his sent
"Are you out of your mind, Mason?!" Mason internally groaned. He didn't bother to look up from the scroll he was studying when a furious Lillian barged into his office. "That's Alpha Mason to you," Kane growled and stepped forward before Mason could raise his hand. Not many people would talk to him this way and live to tell the tale, but Lillian was an exception…to a certain point. She has been his right hand since Melania's death. They both believed in her cause despite their identical siblings disagreeing. While Mason continued to grab supporters of the cause, Melania and Lillian were preparing for the worst-case scenario: Melania's death. Mason couldn't be happier when Lillian told him they had found a way to bring her back. For the past two years, they've made plans to get everything on the list, and so far, they have almost everything. All except the perfect vessel. Of course, Lillian volunteered without question, and he knew it was because of her affection towa
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