“Come, the food is ready.” Brutus was in charge of the barbecue and as he opened the cover for the grill, the glorious smell of roasting meat made Brandon’s stomach grumble.It had been days since he last ate. He doesn’t even know how long he’s had grilled meat and hearing the fat sizzling on the hot red coals made him salivate. The men around him laughed, but his attention was focused on the darkened slab of ribs Brutus took out, and seeing his hungry expression, the pack enforcer did not hesitate to give him the first serving. “Hmm…” Brandon closed his eyes as he savored the meat melting in his mouth. The sauce dripped down his fingers and he licked it off clean, not caring that people were watching.Slice after slice of meat appeared in front of him together with potatoes, cobs of corn, and several pieces of bread, and Bran gobbled them all up like the starving man that he was.“Save some for us,” Rick joked after seeing Brandon had stopped growling and slowing down. “I’m sorry,
“What do you think you’re doing?” Two arms grabbed Marina’s shoulder and shoved her against the tree. “Brandon was showing interest. Why did you run away?”“Brandon? He’s not interested in me.”“Of course, he is smitten, sweetheart. He followed you in here, didn’t he?”“What do you want me to do, poison him in the middle of his party?”“Didn’t know you had brains in there.” “Do you want me to get killed? There is no way you are getting out of Silvercreek without having the entire pack after you. They’re the golden kids right now. People are watching them.”“Better you than me, my little pet.” He said, kissing her cheek and making her shudder. “But you are right. We can’t have the entire cavalry after us.”“Do your job right and I might bestow upon you the pleasure I reserve for my princess. It’ll be shameful not to share my skills when I have a lot to offer.”Marina wanted to gag. Sleeping with Seth was not a gift, it was a curse. She would rather die than suffer in his hands ever ag
The next day, Brandon woke up early. He could feel the chill in the air, and for once, he was glad to be indoors when winter came upon them. He could not believe the seasons were changing so fast, and in a few months, snow would cover the entire state.The nights were cold enough that lighting up the fireplace to keep the entire cabin warm was acceptable, and he liked that. It made him remember the times they went on trips with their parents.Being so young, the twins did not know that they had been searching for a place to live every time they went on family camping trips. None of their memories during that time came back completely, but there were glimpses of happy times.Bran was a werewolf, thick with fur and full of body heat, and though his temperature ran high while in his wolf form, he was still half-human. And being human meant it was not enjoyable to sleep outdoors on the cold, wet ground. He could not understand why it was taking too long for him to regain his strength.
Seth and his men stopped at a clearing in the forest the locals called the grassland. It was a patch of forest fabled to be an evil place, where nothing but grass and weeds grew. The trees surrounded the area like they knew not to set foot inside the circle. Some folklore said the place was vacant because of the ancient witches who gathered in the area during the longest night of the year. During the winter solstice, when the moon was at its highest peak, it would shine its light upon the clearing. Covens would use this moment to fortify their spells by harnessing the energy of the moon.The witches would light bonfires inside the circle and dance around the fire naked while offering their sacrifices to the devil.It was a celebration that lasted from the moment the sun disappeared from the sky to the moment it appeared the next day. Nobody knew where they came from, but as soon as the moon retreated into the horizon, so did the witches. The area cleared out as if nothing had trans
Grayson tapped into the pack link and was met with silence. The only people who responded were the ones already in the clearing with him. Aiden, Rick, and Rob looked around as they held their positions.Around them, pack members had dropped like flies after being shot by tranquilizer darts. And just like Brandon, the medicine took effect immediately, reducing their chances of overpowering the Nightshade pack.Seth laughed even though Grayson still had his sharp claws digging into Seth’s neck. “It’s ten against four. I would say you should surrender.”Grayson growled. He warned everyone to be alert and watch their back for any sneak attacks, but they never expected the other pack to come more prepared.‘They’ve all been shot.’ Aiden reported.‘Are they dead?’ Grayson asked, to confirm the fate of his pack members.‘No,’ Aiden growled. Seeing the injections on the bodies made him hyper-aware. He opened his senses to the sounds of the forest, so he was prepared when one whizzed past his
Brianna finds herself waking up in an unfamiliar location. Gauzy curtains flutter in the breeze, bringing in the crisp mountain air as she comes to her senses. “Gray,” she sat up in bed, hoping the events were just another nightmare, but then she felt a collar on her neck. The thing dug into her skin when she tried to pull it apart.Bree snickered. A dog collar, really? They think this will keep me down?The minute her eyes opened, she felt something was different. An intrinsic knowledge that shifting into her wolf would be easier.Earlier, Grayson had given her the extra push needed to boost her confidence, making it easy to change. But when she initiated the shift into her wolf form, Bree realized the spikes digging into her neck, preventing her from completing the transformation. “Agghhh!” she screamed as the metal points pierced her skin. Bree fell on all fours and panted while her body returned to its original form, the skin on her neck healing rapidly.Her shoulders shook as
‘Brandon. Wake up!’‘Bree! Where are we?’‘Don’t move too much. You’re hooked on these things that are supposed to make you sleepy. Keep pretending you’re not awake.’‘I’m not. I can’t move anything.’‘You will be okay soon. I turned off the flow regulators on all of them without removing the needles in your arms.’‘That’s smart. But where are we? Where are the others?’‘Seth took us from the pack and now he wants to keep me because they say the white wolf can tell the future.’‘Can you?’‘No, but I can still manipulate the people’s thoughts around me. I was able to see you because the man guarding me agreed with my suggestion.’‘Where are you now?’‘In another bedroom. They want me to mate with Seth and become one of their pack members.’‘How about me?’‘They plan to keep you sedated, so I’ll be compliant.’‘They won’t kill me, so just escape. Use your wolf abilities.’ ‘You have to get out, Bran. I can’t leave without you.’‘Don’t be stubborn. I’ll find a way.’‘How?’‘Brianna, am I
Something felt wrong, but Bree couldn’t stop from sighing and leaning into the lips that were kissing her neck. She felt a soft hand caress her hip down to her thighs, and she moaned.It had only been a day since she last saw Grayson, but there was a hunger inside her whenever they came together. Would it always be like this?She had never been with a man so generous with his affections before. There was no guessing about his feelings when Grayson was concerned. Bree could always tell what he was thinking, even without probing his mind. And that was usually sex when she was concerned.Bree was glad to be back in Grayson’s arms, in her home, with nobody to hear her moan and pant when he gave her pleasure.She was going through all the motions of seduction, but why could she see Brandon in the corner of her eye?‘Get out of here, you pervert.’ She hissed, scolding her brother through their link.‘That’s not Grayson, Bree. You have to wake up or you’ll regret this for the rest of your li
The answer was yes. She wanted to have sex with Bran, to risk the wrath of their alpha and his mate, to try her chance at happiness. If she would get exiled, why not for her happiness? But now was not the right time and place, not at the barracks, where it felt impersonal and hurried.‘Let’s go on a date first, like you suggested.’ Brandon groaned silently against her neck, but the rumble in his chest told her how disappointed he felt.‘Then we can do all this and more after the… third date?’‘Third date?’ He whined through their link, yet his hand never stopped moving.‘Isn’t that the norm?’‘How about I show you what I can do with my mouth now?’‘Oh…’ How was she supposed to say no when his hands alone brought her to her knees? ‘I have no doubt it’ll be—aghhh…good—aghhh… Brandon, don’t stop.’ Marina fused their lips and clutched his hair as the feeling in her core intensified. There was no sound anyone could hear, but Bran could feel what she did through their link. She was about t
The couple awoke in the dark at the same time, clothes covering their bodies, and sweat running down their backs. They were back at the barracks on the bed they slept in, arms wrapped around each other.The dream had been so real he felt the slickness when their naked bodies glided against each other. He was having an erotic dream about Marina and he wondered if he walked into her dream or if he dragged her into his.Bran looked into Marina’s eyes as she rubbed their legs together, noticing they were clouded. Was she still asleep? Should he wake her up?He sniffed the air and scented her arousal. It was a big possibility that they had just shared every part of his sexually charged dream.‘What were you dreaming about?’ He touched the tip of their noses together and asked through their link. Her answer would mean she was awake.Marina shook her head. She had to erase the image of Bran covering her with his naked body. The dream was too racy to be shared.‘You were there.’ He captured h
Bran was in the shadows listening to their conversation, so when Marina stepped out to head to the barracks, he surprised her by appearing out of nowhere.“Is that true?” He asked.“What is true?” Marina feigned ignorance.“That you were in love with him before?” She walked away before speaking.“It was a childhood crush. He was the only handsome guy in town, so it was only right that every girl in this area was infatuated with him.”“And now?”“Now…” She looked over at Bran and smirked. “I have to check my options. Let me look at your face and check if you’re handsome enough.”Bran grabbed her arm and pulled her to his chest. “Are looks really that important?” He asked while tipping up her chin. He wanted to stare into her eyes while she gave her answer.“Yes... No...”“Are you saying you’d settle because there’s no one else but me?” Marina raised her brow as if insulted.“I have standards.”“And I’m below that?” Brandon wasn’t vain. He had no delusions he was handsome but didn’t thi
“I wanted to take Marina out for a date. Where do you think we should go?” Bree gave Grayson a knowing look.The guys had their mouths hanging open. “Her?” One asked, then stopped when Marina glared at him, beating Bran to come to her rescue.“There’s a steakhouse a couple of towns over.”“Why would you go to a steakhouse when you have the best beef here at the ranch?” He jabbed the guy beside him.“Go to the Italian place in Greenville, they make handmade pasta,” Gran interjects.“Yes, that place is nice. It gave me an excuse to hold your gran close when we danced.”‘Don’t do it. I will never forgive you.’ Marina’s voice conveyed in his head.‘Why not? I want everyone to know you and I are dating.’‘Please don’t do this.’‘You are mine and they better know it.’“It is decided then. So Marina, will you go out with me?” Bran asks with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.“Go ahead.” Gran chides. “The man has spoken. Will you leave him hanging?” The dinner guests went silent, eager to hear
Marina ran from the kitchen. She didn’t mean to get overcome by lust, but whenever she was near Brandon, her brain was clouded with their nightly visits. In her dreams, Brandon called her beautiful and made her feel special, but they were just dreams that she conjured to feel less lonely. She chose Brandon because he was from out of town and knew nothing about her past.His eyes did not hold pity or disgust when he looked at her. She felt wanted when he said things that made her heart skip a beat.‘I’m beautiful,’ she smiled while lugging feed for the ducks and chickens on both shoulders.“Chick, chick, chick, chick, chickens!” Amelia called to her egg-laying pets. “Good morning! It’s time to come out.”“They missed you when you were gone.” “You think so?”“Of course, because I missed you a lot,” Marina said awkwardly.“So why didn’t you call me?”“I figured you were enjoying yourself so I left you alone. I wanted you to have some fun. Plus, I wanted you to think I was grown up enou
“So, you haven’t given me an answer. What will it be?” Bran slides onto the bench beside Marina. They were alone in the kitchen again and as she stood up, he pulled her back down to sit.“Why do you want to date me?”“I think you’re special.”“You do know that I’m an orphan and homeless, right? What’s so appealing about that?”Brandon chuckled. “If you didn’t notice. I’m an orphan and I’m homeless, too. We are living in someone else’s house, eating someone else’s food so why not enjoy it while it lasts.”“We’re different. You have a sister and I am alone.”“We’re both werewolves and my sister can be your sister too. She’s nice. Not so much lately but she’ll come around.”“You won’t like me when you learn about my past.”“Then let’s not talk about it. Let’s make memories of our own, without all those nasty things that happened to us because we had no control over them.”“How?” Marina looked at him, wondering if he knew what she had done.“I want to know the real you without the distrac
That evening, Marina’s dreams were intense. The shadow figure had come to her that night with the passion of a lover back from a long absence.“I want you, Marina. You will be mine,” he said before covering her naked body with his. At least in her dreams, she could do what she wanted without consequences. So she gave in and surrendered her inhibitions to the wind.Brandon was an ardent lover, paying attention to every part of her body that made her moan. She had long since forgotten that when she first dreamed of Brandon, he’d always be between her thighs licking her pussy until she screamed in pleasure.How could she hold back when it was only in her dreams that she felt satisfied?“Marina! Enough of that!”Wanting her dream to continue, she ignored the knock on the wall. She was near climax and didn’t want to stop.“Yes, yes…” she moaned, as her body succumbed to the pleasure of Brandon’s mouth on her mound. His tongue licked and teased her clit while his finger delved deeper and t
“There you are.” Sean appeared after a few awkward minutes and saw Bran first. Then, when he came into the stall, it surprised him to see Marina in the corner. “Both of you.”He looked outside and wondered how Bran and Marina appeared in the stall when he checked the entire stable, bedding storage, and the surrounding areas, but never found them. Something felt off, but he kept his mouth shut, afraid Marina would cut his head off.“Is this the last stall, Marina, or do you guys need help?” He asked when no one acknowledged his presence.“I’m here to do her bidding. She just needs to instruct me what to do,” Bran said and Marina’s ears perked up with the double meaning.“Do the other stalls. I have this almost done.” She instructed without looking at Sean, afraid that her flushed face and kiss-swollen lips would betray what they did.“Okay, let’s go, buddy,” Sean grabs Bran by the shoulders, dragging him and the rake alongside him as they check the next stall.“What’s with the tension
“Let me prove it.” Their lips touched, and Marina moaned. It was far different from all the kisses they’d shared before. Those were all in her dreams, and nothing prepared her for the real thing.Soft lips peppered her with kisses as his insistent tongue drew her lips apart. Marina breathed in and she could taste the mint he was chewing on earlier. Brandon nibbled on her lips and Marina felt her legs weaken she had to grab his neck for support. She was heady with desire and didn’t even notice he lifted her from the ground until her back hit the wall. Marina wrapped her legs around Brandon’s waist and as their pelvis touched, she could feel the bulge in his pants. Were they moving too fast? Or was this normal speed? She was not sure what the norm was anymore because being with Bran was all she thought about. All he needed to do was utter the words, and she would willingly give up her morals.She saved herself for Grayson all those years by not sleeping with anyone, but having Brando