Lottie was riding in a carriage with Spencer, finally excited for him to meet the other love of her life. Spencer showered her with kisses as she playfully pushed him away. "Stop it before you mess up my hair," Lottie laughed as he embraced her. "I cannot help it, my little chef. I don't think I've ever been this happy in my entire life," Spencer said while trying to kiss her. Lottie dodged his advances by turning her head, so he resorted to kissing her neck. His lips grazed over the mark he had placed on her neck the night before, and he felt her tremble in his arms. Lottie couldn't get enough of his kisses, but she had to stop before it went too far. It always went too far with him, and she didn't want Xenia to find them in a compromising position. It wouldn't be the first time Lottie was caught with a man in a compromising position. "Spence, please. We need to go over a few things before you meet Xenia." Lillian wiggled out of his embrace as he pulled on her dress to bring h
Spencer turned to look at what she saw. In the little valley stood a small cabin with the side wholly torn down. It looked as if something smashed the side of the cabin to the ground. With Spencer's help, Lottie returned to her feet and walked toward the cabin, but Spencer stopped her. "No, you stay here, Lottie. Let me check it out first," Spencer said, heading towards the cabin. From the scents in the air, he could tell there was blood from a human and a werewolf. He made it to the crumbling wall and peeked inside. There was nothing there but a bedroom set up. Pieces of the ceiling were scattered on the floor, but nothing else seemed to be destroyed. Spencer turned to see Lottie looking apprehensive, but he was glad she stayed put."I'll be back as soon as possible," he linked her. She didn't respond, but he saw her nod before he headed inside. The smell of blood increased as he approached the door leading into a hallway. He kept his ears perked for any sounds or motions before
"Ah," Xenia screamed and sat up. "Owwww." Her body felt sore as she brought her hand to her head. Her vision was blurry as she looked at her surroundings. Wait, where am I? she wondered. It took a minute for her eyes to adjust to the light coming from the windows, and she realized she was in a bed. Remembering Barrick, she quickly jumped out of the covers. The massive headache she had was keeping her from remembering anything. She looked down and saw her teddy was still covered in dirt and blood. There was a glass of water near a lamp on the bedside table, and she quickly drank it, unaware of how thirsty she was. Her room was big, way bigger than her entire cabin. The light shined on the amber-colored walls, matching the polished hardwood floors. There was a huge painting over the bed of a beautiful blue-eyed woman. Her hair fell in golden waves over her shoulders, down the crimson red dress. On her face was a smile carved out of beautiful red lips. She looks familiar, Xenia
Xenia looked for a place to hide but gave up and climbed back into bed. The glass on the bedside was filled with water. So, she quickly drank it and hid the glass under the covers. She didn't know what or who to expect, but she wanted to be prepared. She focused on calming her pulse before lying back down. It took a minute for the person to come into the room. She could hear the rickety sound of a cart being pushed across the floor. It stopped near the front of the bed. By the footsteps, she knew it was at least two people. They continued to busy themselves around the room, and she could hear someone running water. Then, a hand caressed the side of her face. "I know you're not asleep, Xenia." Him. Xenia gripped the covers and slowly opened her eyes to see him beside her bedside. He sat down as she sat up and watched him cautiously. Two other women were in the room with them, so Xenia felt some relief. She didn't want to be alone with him. One woman moved things in and out of
What's more embarrassing than fighting and screaming at someone trying to put you in a bath? Having another person watch you being manhandled like a child, and there was nothing you could do about it. Jane ducked her head and brought her hand to her lips to hide the smile on her face as Mason carried a fighting Xenia to the tub. There were times when Xenia could slip away, and Jane couldn't help but giggle when Xenia found things to throw at Mason. After a few minutes, Mason finally got Xenia to the tub. He lowered her, teddy and all, into the water. It was hot and soothing, and the moment her body hit the water, Xenia went utterly still. There was a sense of calm flowing through her body out of nowhere. All her worries disappeared, and nothing was left but peace. It scared but delighted her at the same time. "See, that wasn't so bad now, was it," Mason huffed out before standing. Xenia wanted to frown at him, but her body was too relaxed, and his voice was pleasant as she
Jane lifted the lid, and a cornucopia of smells filled Xenia's nose. She looked down at the plate of meats and veggies piled up and could feel herself salivating. She would've dug in, but the thought of Barrick poisoning her flashed in her mind. What if he did something to the food? She wondered, looking at Mason. "Eat," Mason ordered. "You're going to need your strength if you're going to continue to try to escape." She could see a faint smile on his face. Yeah, he definitely did something to it. She made a big show of pushing the plate away from her. Almost causing it to fall off the table. Jane rushed over to push the plate back to the middle before stepping back. Mason sighed. "Xenia-" "Don't," Xenia snapped at him. "Don't say my name like we're friends. You don't know me." Xenia turned away from him, and soon after, she could hear him moving toward her. Yes, come closer, you bastard! "You're right. I do not know you, but I could hear your hunger even from miles away." X
The moment the door closed, Xenia fell to the floor, a bit shaken. She took measured breaths to try to stop her body from trembling. She zoned out thinking about her situation until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, pulling her fist back, ready to pounce, when she realized it was Jane. The girl looked as white as a ghost, cowering away from Xenia. A momentary flash of guilt came across Xenia's face. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Luna," Jane shrieked. "I brought fresh food and water." Xenia didn't realize she had so much tension in her body, especially when he was around. Still, she didn't eat the food. Instead, she walked over to the bench and looked out the window. Her body felt hot, and the coldness of the pane was soothing. She waited a moment before addressing Jane. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to jump at you," Xenia said, walking over to the table. Jane gave her a small smile as Xenia looked at the food. She slowly started to eat, hoping that it was poison. That would be bett
Mason sat in a dark cave surrounded by lit candles. He has been here for hours trying to contact the Three Sisters. The room was moist from the spring running through the cave into a small waterfall leading outside. He took a knife to his palm, dropping his blood over the crystal inside the circle as he chanted. A moment later, the fire from the candle simmered down, and the only light came from the cave's entrance. Then suddenly, the flame from the candle exploded with dark shadows billowing around like a dance. Mason barely moved or showed any reaction to the display. "Ah, little Alpha Mason." "How sweet of you to call." "Missing us already." The shadow changed its appearance with each voice looming over him. He rolled his eyes, wanting this conversation to be over already. He didn't have time for pleasantries, nor did he like witches. They were…unreliable. Only a few weeks away from the Blue Moon, and he couldn't afford any distractions. "Aww…you didn't like our light displ
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