Graeme’s POV“Don't go!”I heard as I thundered down the halls of Wilburn Manor, towards Oswald's office. “Don't leave me!” Delia's voice kept re-echoing in my head. I gritted my teeth against the unrelenting urge to go back. It took everything in me and Duke’s steady presence by my side to open the door into Oswald's office. Duke stationed himself outside, allowing us Alphas some privacy to discuss. Oswald looked up at my entry, his face unchanging. “Done?” He queried and I nodded. “Thank you for your compliance and discretion. You remain as trustworthy as always Oswald.”He shrugged “I swore fealty to you as I did your father. It's my duty. However, before I continue in my duties, I have to ask, why is your mate in my pack?”He said quizzically and I froze. “Excuse me?”He raised a brow at my aghast look “Do you deny that the mutt you brought here over a month ago is your mate?”I should have. Vehemently so. I was so shocked that he'd figured it out that I forgot to. I thought I
Delia’s POVFour days later, I was still reeling from my last encounter with Graeme. I’d gone from sad and destitute, to furious. How dare he do these things to me? How dare he treat me like this? How dare he drive me crazy? And why, oh why couldn’t I stop thinking about him. I hated him so much at the moment but no matter how much I tried to, I couldn’t get him out of my head. He was there constantly, lingering at the back of my mind the entire day. My brain was firing erratically, trying to do the impossible task of finding something else to focus on. All was in vain. I had no peace at night either, for he would slip into my dreams unbidden, bringing passion and softness and all the good things of life. And when I woke, he would vanish, leaving me bereft all over again. Making a sound of disgust at myself, I got off my bed, unable to stand being crowded in my own head a second longer. I needed some sort of distraction, so I decided to take a walk and see if it would help. I thre
Graeme's POVI was at my desk, a stack of reports scattered before me, but I couldn't focus on a damn word. My mind kept flitting between multiple thoughts, most of them centered around Delia and the predicament we were in. My conversation with Oswald kept ringing in my head about power and how I needed to use it. So I send formal letters to all the other preternatural heads; the Feline, Ursine and the rest of the Canine shifters. I tried to keep it vague, not wanting to show my cards before I had to. I would meet with all of them and see if they were having any vampire trouble too. If they were, we could band together and stand a much better chance at defeating those bloodsuckers. I wanted to avoid a full-scale war if possible. It’s just that, with all of Zachary’s bold attacks and his mother’s lack of acknowledgement, I would be foolish not to prepare for some kind of trouble. The sooner I strengthened my allies, the better off I would be. I tried not to think of the other source
Graeme’s POVI stepped back. “Ramona.” A warning in my tone.Her smile widened, eyes glittering. “Ah, still so proper. Even now. Even after everything.”“There is no everything.” I snapped and she raised cocked her head, the gesture so familiar that it forced me to flash back. The memories slammed into me before I could block them — her mouth on mine, her body beneath me, the wild hunger that had once driven us both past reason. And the bitterness when I'd ended it, cold and final, for reasons she had never quite forgiven.She watched me intently, a lazy amusement coloring her gaze that I didn’t much appreciate. “Surely you don’t mean that. Is it that you’ve forgotten or that you don’t dare remember?”She purred stalking closer towards me. To my great embarrassment, I took several steps back before I caught myself. Her smile widened. My jaw clenched. “Is it someone who forces you to forget Graeme? Perhaps… a certain newly-turned mutt?” She said teasingly and my hands clenched into f
Delia’s POVI wasn’t expecting the knock at my door.Not now, when the quiet finally felt bearable and I’d managed — just barely — to wrestle my thoughts away from a certain dark-eyed Alpha King.I opened the door to find Marcus standing there, hands shoved into his jacket pockets, shoulders stiff with unease.“Hey,” he said, voice low, profile tense. “Can I come in for a minute?”“Um, yes.” I said, feeling an awkwardness that lingered from our last encounter. I stepped aside, motioning him in. The scent of the woods clung to him — pine, damp earth, the clean sharpness of the waterfall. It should’ve been comforting. Instead, it reminded me too much of everything I was trying to forget. That he was a wolf and I had only met him because I was a wolf and I was miserable because the wolf who was supposed to be my mate had rejected me. Marcus hovered awkwardly in the middle of the room until I sat down on the edge of my bed. Only then did he sit too, not too close, his hands fidgeting wit
Delia’s POVLife is fraught with possibilities. One day you’re high up there, living the perfect dream even though something tells you that everything isn’t quite right. The next you’re drowning, your dream turned to a nightmare as reality rips the ground from underneath you. I was a happy girl leading the perfect life with parents who doted on me, a boyfriend who loved me, loyal friends, a bright future. Until it all went away in just one night. ~~~~~~~~~The first strange occurrence of the day that changed my life, happened in the morning. I kissed my parents goodbye before heading out the door, hurrying to meet up with my boyfriend Zack. He was leaving today, and I wanted to spend some time with him beforehand. Purse in hand, I hurried down the steps and started walking towards the intersection where he would pick me up when the sensation of being watched crept upon me. I turned around and met an empty street and continued my walk, my unease rising steadily. The hairs at the bac
Delia’s POVThe first thing I saw when my eyes opened was my mom’s worried face. I recalled what had happened immediately, fear catching at my throat until I realized I was no longer in the woods; I was back at home, tucked safely into my bedroom. I didn’t understand how I had survived that, but I was grateful. Surprisingly, it didn’t at all hurt when I tried to sit up. I felt good as new, as if I had just woken up from a power nap and I smiled at my mother in relief to show her she didn’t need to worry anymore. She didn’t smile back. “Mom? It’s okay. I’m fine.” I said, looking over my unbroken skin and intact limbs in shock. Maybe it had been a bad dream? Because I remember a large wolf sinking its teeth into me, but here I was, arm as good as new. My mother sighed, her soft brown eyes filling with sadness “No it’s not Delia. I’m so sorry. I did everything I could to keep you with us. Remember that okay?”She said tearfully and I got a little confused. “What? I don’t understand.”
Delia's POVI gaped at Graeme, shocked at his revelation. My boyfriend? A Vampire? Come on. That was impossible.“No… you're mistaken, he can't be.” I argued but even then as I took in Zack’s beautiful face twisted with an unholy rage and the red ring around his light blue eyes, and I wasn’t so sure. A moment ago, I didn’t even know werewolves existed and now I was being told my boyfriend of the past year is a freaking vampire. I needed to catch a freaking break. “Come Delia.” Zack ordered and my body seized once more, my desperation to get to him keeping me in frenzy. “Get her away from him. He’s got her under a thrall. Head to the pack. I’ll finish him off and follow behind.” He said self-assuredly and a bone-chilling laugh fell out of Zack’s mouth. “Oh, I'd like to see you try Wolf Boy.” Zack hissed and then they flew into action. One moment they were eyeing each other, several feet apart. The next Zack moved with lightening speed I’d never known he was capable of, swiping at Gr
Delia’s POVI wasn’t expecting the knock at my door.Not now, when the quiet finally felt bearable and I’d managed — just barely — to wrestle my thoughts away from a certain dark-eyed Alpha King.I opened the door to find Marcus standing there, hands shoved into his jacket pockets, shoulders stiff with unease.“Hey,” he said, voice low, profile tense. “Can I come in for a minute?”“Um, yes.” I said, feeling an awkwardness that lingered from our last encounter. I stepped aside, motioning him in. The scent of the woods clung to him — pine, damp earth, the clean sharpness of the waterfall. It should’ve been comforting. Instead, it reminded me too much of everything I was trying to forget. That he was a wolf and I had only met him because I was a wolf and I was miserable because the wolf who was supposed to be my mate had rejected me. Marcus hovered awkwardly in the middle of the room until I sat down on the edge of my bed. Only then did he sit too, not too close, his hands fidgeting wit
Graeme’s POVI stepped back. “Ramona.” A warning in my tone.Her smile widened, eyes glittering. “Ah, still so proper. Even now. Even after everything.”“There is no everything.” I snapped and she raised cocked her head, the gesture so familiar that it forced me to flash back. The memories slammed into me before I could block them — her mouth on mine, her body beneath me, the wild hunger that had once driven us both past reason. And the bitterness when I'd ended it, cold and final, for reasons she had never quite forgiven.She watched me intently, a lazy amusement coloring her gaze that I didn’t much appreciate. “Surely you don’t mean that. Is it that you’ve forgotten or that you don’t dare remember?”She purred stalking closer towards me. To my great embarrassment, I took several steps back before I caught myself. Her smile widened. My jaw clenched. “Is it someone who forces you to forget Graeme? Perhaps… a certain newly-turned mutt?” She said teasingly and my hands clenched into f
Graeme's POVI was at my desk, a stack of reports scattered before me, but I couldn't focus on a damn word. My mind kept flitting between multiple thoughts, most of them centered around Delia and the predicament we were in. My conversation with Oswald kept ringing in my head about power and how I needed to use it. So I send formal letters to all the other preternatural heads; the Feline, Ursine and the rest of the Canine shifters. I tried to keep it vague, not wanting to show my cards before I had to. I would meet with all of them and see if they were having any vampire trouble too. If they were, we could band together and stand a much better chance at defeating those bloodsuckers. I wanted to avoid a full-scale war if possible. It’s just that, with all of Zachary’s bold attacks and his mother’s lack of acknowledgement, I would be foolish not to prepare for some kind of trouble. The sooner I strengthened my allies, the better off I would be. I tried not to think of the other source
Delia’s POVFour days later, I was still reeling from my last encounter with Graeme. I’d gone from sad and destitute, to furious. How dare he do these things to me? How dare he treat me like this? How dare he drive me crazy? And why, oh why couldn’t I stop thinking about him. I hated him so much at the moment but no matter how much I tried to, I couldn’t get him out of my head. He was there constantly, lingering at the back of my mind the entire day. My brain was firing erratically, trying to do the impossible task of finding something else to focus on. All was in vain. I had no peace at night either, for he would slip into my dreams unbidden, bringing passion and softness and all the good things of life. And when I woke, he would vanish, leaving me bereft all over again. Making a sound of disgust at myself, I got off my bed, unable to stand being crowded in my own head a second longer. I needed some sort of distraction, so I decided to take a walk and see if it would help. I thre
Graeme’s POV“Don't go!”I heard as I thundered down the halls of Wilburn Manor, towards Oswald's office. “Don't leave me!” Delia's voice kept re-echoing in my head. I gritted my teeth against the unrelenting urge to go back. It took everything in me and Duke’s steady presence by my side to open the door into Oswald's office. Duke stationed himself outside, allowing us Alphas some privacy to discuss. Oswald looked up at my entry, his face unchanging. “Done?” He queried and I nodded. “Thank you for your compliance and discretion. You remain as trustworthy as always Oswald.”He shrugged “I swore fealty to you as I did your father. It's my duty. However, before I continue in my duties, I have to ask, why is your mate in my pack?”He said quizzically and I froze. “Excuse me?”He raised a brow at my aghast look “Do you deny that the mutt you brought here over a month ago is your mate?”I should have. Vehemently so. I was so shocked that he'd figured it out that I forgot to. I thought I
Delia’s POVI stared unseeing at the ceiling, my mind numb, my thoughts far away. I’d been awake for some time now, but I just couldn’t generate enough will to get out of bed. I’d listened to the morning come and go without much interest in partaking of it. The maid had been by with my morning and then afternoon meals, leaving them outside my door. I let each meal pass without evening checking to see what she’d brought. Annalise had been over twice already, but I hadn’t bothered to answer her calls or knocks. I didn’t get up when Marcus came calling yet again either. Just like the other four days prior, I stayed put in wallowing in my self-induced semi-comatose state. Nothing was enough to make me generate enough will to leave that bed. Not my friends. Not the gnawing hunger in the pit of my stomach. Not the ache in my limbs from being in one place for so long. I wanted to stay so still that I could pass away if no one was noticing. I’d had quite enough of this meaningless existence.
Graeme’s POVI woke up panting, my body on fire, my heart searing from what felt like another very real separation from Delia. I didn’t understand what was happening, but I was aching, in more places than one. I had been there, at Wilburn pack with Delia in my arms. So why the fucking hell was I here? I glared around at my room, as if it had offended me by becoming my shelter for yet another night. Restlessness overcoming me, I scrambled out of bed, thinking to find the quickest route over to her when a sharp knock came on my door. I paused, looking up, an inexplicable anger brewing in me. “Who’s there?” I growled. A moment later, the door opened to admit Duke. His face was somber, his eyes worried. “Alpha? I heard you stir. Is everything okay.”Disoriented, I could only stare back at him, my eyes starved, my heart beating like crazy. I hadn’t intended to lash out like that. Torn by my most recent encounter with the mate bond, I had reacted by flinging out wisps of my power, a su
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE Delia’s POV “You're getting really good at this Delia.” Marcus said and I grinned. “What can I say? I had a really good teacher.” I teased and was pleased to see a flush rise up his cheeks. “All I did was show you a few moves.” He said abashedly. I clicked my tongue “Oh come off it. You definitely did a lot more than that.” I insisted but he shook his head “No. I'm serious. All this progress was all you. And I gotta say, I'm impressed at how far you've come in such a short time.” I glanced at the bent out of shape straw man that had been my battering ram for the past nine days. I wasn't as good as Marcus was making me out to be. Not yet at least. But I worked hard and constantly to make sure I progressed. I could throw proper punches now and I had all but mastered a grounded fighting stance. It would take quite a while for me to get to the level where I could take on an opponent in hand to hand combat. I wondered if I would ever be able to fight wolves or even
Graeme's POVI left Ramona's place in a fury, cursing her and the Vampire family that currently had me running in circles. Duke sent me surreptitious glances as we sat at the back of the car together, but thankfully, he didn't speak. I brooded silently, staring out the window while my thoughts whirled. I was running out of time. So far, I'd managed to keep the Mayor under wraps with the promise that I would have answers by the end of the month. I didn't want to broadcast it to the other packs but the way I saw it, word had already spread. It made no difference whether I asked them directly if they had a hand in the attack. I wouldn't put it past them to betray me like that. Hell, some of the so-called elders of my pack held enough grievances against me that I wouldn't be surprised to find out about their involvement. As much as I was certain the vampire was behind it all, her main attacker had to have been a wolf. Otherwise, there would have been no turning Delia and the photos of the