Chapter: 49.*****Mariana sat behind the house, listening to the birdsong with the breeze ruffling her hair. She took a sip of her tea and sighed happily, enjoying the summer heat and the fresh smell of the flowers outside. Months have passed since her fight with the Witches, and slowly she has almost nursed herself back to health. She could walk around on her own without help, and her burnt skin was no longer painful to look at, although sometimes when she walked into a bright light it seemed like it still hurt, so she would take some ointment for that, but otherwise, she could move about freely. She was glad with her progress, and in truth could not wait to be able to go about her plans once again. The Witches may have caused a pause in her efforts, but she was glad to know that her son hadn't completely lost it to the Lycan since she could still use his energy to get into the Lycan's head. She picked up her teacup and brought it to her lips, but frowned when she noticed it was em
Chapter: 50.******Longing. So much longing. Rafa panted, stumbling around confusedly. His hands searched for support, something to grip onto, to steady his steps. His vision blurred, and his mind was hazy. He could barely think straight. Everything was a blur, but he was so cold, like ice inside his brain. All the while his body shivered uncontrollably and sweat ran down his forehead. His skin burned with a fever that had no explanation. It felt as if he had run through miles of hot summer sand, all the way here, without stopping or changing direction once. Every muscle in his body ached, from the heat, from... everything. His lungs were on fire, and yet his heart hammered like a war drum inside his chest. His stomach churned angrily, making him feel queasy. His head throbbed, sending sharp pain into his temples, as though an earthquake had just struck him and shaken him violently. And he was tired, tired beyond measure. The world seemed distant to him, almost unreal, as though i
Chapter: 51.******Conri shut the door as soon as they entered, and stood with his back pressed against it. His hand gripping Caleb had left him, and now the Weretiger just stood there, watching him breathlessly. They held eye contact for a good amount, none looked away from the other for the longest time. With how he had dragged him up here, Caleb thought he would toss him to the bed the second they got in, and mount him so wickedly he would not be able to walk in days. But, instead, the Lycan just stood there, watching him. As if he were scrutinizing him from behind his mask of shame. As if he could see everything that went on in the back of his head. Conri wasn't in his right senses, but somehow he could feel the pheromones close to him, and he knew very well who they belonged to. He didn't want to do it, but the Weretiger was calming his Rut, and he needed to keep him close, or else he would go insane. So, he stood there and just looked at him. He could feel the Tiger getting an
Chapter: 52.*******The morning arrived like every other, with the sun rising bright and warm in a sea of white canvas and yellow sky. The air was thick with moisture, making the early morning dew seem as if it might be raining. The sound of birds chirping filled the air and the scent of damp earth lingered. A slight breeze rustled through the leaves of the trees and caused the long grasses to sway, and the restless Beta who couldn't sleep a wink to sigh heavily for the millionth time. He rolled onto his side, but there was still no sign of peace, so he groaned again and pulled himself out of bed. His feet landed with quiet slowness on the cold wood floor and his eyes wandered to his opened windows, which offered him a view across the grounds to the fountain that lay just outside. He sighed heavily again and walked out into the hall. A quick look over the room showed everything was exactly as he left it last night; clothes, books, and papers were strewn about the desk. It was a terr
Chapter: 53.******The soft sound of birdsong filling the room was the only thing that disturbed his otherwise peaceful slumber. He opened one bleary eye and blinked against the bright light streaming through the drawn curtains. As soon as he realized where he was, he leaped out of bed and scanned the room frantically. It was empty. He was alone. A slight frown marred his handsome features as he began to search for his clothes that had been discarded on the floor in a tangle from last night's activities. His heart raced, and his breathing labored. Conri had left and didn't even bother to wake him up. Was he really that repulsed by him that he couldn't stand the sight of him after he woke up? The Weretiger wondered as he picked up his discarded clothes from the floor by the sofa.His legs felt shaky from last night, and his body felt empty, he was hungry and tired beyond imagination. His clothes were in no better shape either, ripped into shreds, it looked like a pile of rags tossed i
Chapter: 54.******Documents were placed carefully on the desk for him by Barbara while he signed, and flipped them shut then passed them over to Clyde and proceeded to sign the next. There was an assortment of documents from his fathers estate as well as some from various business associates that he needed to deal with. He hadn't planned to spend his entire day signing documents and drinking firewhisky. He needed to get out of there and stretch his limbs, but knowing he had been away from his duties for quite some time, he must tend to the documents now, or else they kept piling up even more. And he would be a poor leader for all if he couldn't even deal with these small annoyances.The sun was beginning its descent toward the horizon, he could feel its warm yellow glow through his office window, and his eyes ached in protest. His body aches, too. He hadn't slept well in weeks and hadn't taken care of himself since he went into Deep Sleep. That is, after all, when things became rath
Chapter: 55.******Caleb woke up feeling slightly better than he did the day before. He stretched slowly, wincing from the sharp pain he felt below his stomach. He hissed and sat up, looking around the room and a frown marred his face when he realized he was alone again. He looked toward the side of the bed where Conri should have slept and frowned when he noticed how undisturbed the sheets looked. He didn't need anyone to tell him that Conri did not come home last night. Or maybe he did and picked a different room. Reynold had fooled him with the whole Erasthai thing. Feeding his head with dreams of hopelessness. Conri would never make him his Greatest Desire. He had only slept with him because of his Rut, nothing more. And whatever they had done during, was all done in the waves of his Rut. He didn't even come home. Was he repulsed by the thoughts of having sex with him that he would abandon his own bed? Or did he sleep in the arms of another? No! Caleb shook his head as if trying
Chapter: 56.******The Weretiger began to tremble again, snuggling deeper into his arms with a barely audible gasp. Cooing softly, Conri brought the blankets up around himself and his lover, taking a moment to caress Caleb's cheek before wrapping his arm around the other again. Within minutes, he realized the trembling wasn't from the cold, Caleb's growing whimpers and protests telling him so. The weretiger had woken up many times, barely got an hour's sleep before jerking awake from nightmares. So again, Conri ran his hands down the Weretiger's back, shushing him, trying to keep him asleep. This time, his lover fell quiet, untensing and resuming his snuggling, a faint smile gracing his lips again. Conri too began to smile, but it faded as the restlessness of his lover began to settle within his heart. He wondered why he wasn't sleeping as soundly as he had done the night of his Rut. Did he perhaps cause it with his absence the entire day? Each time he would jerk awake, he would cur
"Why can't I have my own birthday?!" Dirk grumbled as he paced the Penthouse, glaring at his parents. Although he hasn't seen the Triplets since their eighth birthday, he still would like to have his sixteenth with his own group of friends. He shared birthdays with the Triplets for eight years, then his Father was called back to the Pride, and he took him along. Dare would refuse to come at first but eventually joined in when he got pregnant and just like always, Caleb got pregnant too. Once again, they both had Omegas whom they have both found their pride and joy and yet they won't let them be. "You haven't seen them in eight years!" Leon replied from where he sat in an armchair by the fireplace. "Be a little excited, you all will be having your first shifts tonight, and need I remind you, hopefully finding your Mates... As the Soulmate to the Alpha of Alphas, I must be there, and that can't happen if I am here throwing a birthday party for you." He tried to reason with his stubborn
Chapter: 61.******Both Conri and Leon paced the hallway of the hospital repeatedly, their heavy footsteps resounding like gunshots in the otherwise silent corridor. The Soulmates exchanged glances in between their anxious strides, a wordless conversation passing between them as they did so. “What’s taking so long?” Conri asked impatiently, his voice sounding much more strained than he had originally intended it to be. They had waited for over an hour. Does it usually take this long? They wondered. "You both need to sit down!" Phoenix yelled, but his words fell on deaf ears. The two continued to pace, never stopping in any one spot for more than a few seconds at a time. "I'm telling you both to sit down right now." His eyes widened as he caught sight of something across the hall; two men walking towards them. Phoenix made to run to them, but both Lycan and Lion beat him to it. "Fucking Creiff!" Leon yelled, grabbing the man by the shoulder. "What was happening in there? You won't l
Chapter: 60.******Caleb looked away and let his eyes search for his Mate and he found him standing in the circle, his gaze burned into him and the Alpha's Mark grew brighter. Phoenix pulled him back when he noticed he was walking faster, his gaze fixed on his Lycan. He leaned to whisper into his ears. "Remember, to control it until the ceremony is sealed, and think about the pups while you do it tonight," This had Caleb blushing a bright red and he lowered his gaze in embarrassment. A smile curled onto his face, and he nodded and looked up to his Alpha. Phoenix gave a soft nod, and kissed him briefly, before releasing him with a gentle squeeze of his hands. Caleb felt the tingling warmth run down his chest and to his fingertips. He gave a small smile as he turned to walk into the circle. As the pack members bowed to him, he gave them all a quick bow and then stood in front of the Alpha who was smiling warmly at him with a proud expression. He could feel how much Conri was trying to
Chapter: 59.******The garden flowers smelled divine, it soothes the wave of nausea that had plagued him all day long. As he walked, he let his hands wander over to the topiaries that lined the path, admiring the variety of colors and patterning they presented. He felt better with every step he took forward, he felt lighter, as if all of his burdens were lifted off his shoulders for a moment in order for him to enjoy his surroundings more fully. A pleasant breeze rustled his hair and caressed his skin, his body was covered from the neck down by a heavy coat, which only served to make him feel colder instead of warmer. Even his body temperature seems out of place, just like his health in the past few weeks. His breath rose in visible clouds and then dissipated on the autumn air around him. The sun hung low in the sky and cast its rays on his face, turning it a soft yellow hue. In spite of this, the wind persisted in picking at his sleeves, tugging gently at them as they fluttered back
Chapter: 58.******The grounds were cold, and her skin was damp with condensation. The night air felt sharp against her face, and it didn't help that she was pressed face down into the wicked cold floor. Her breath made small clouds of mist that floated in the cool air before dissipating into nothingness. Her hair clung to her cheek, damp and clinging to her tears. The only light around her came from a single candle burning from where it was placed on a broken piece of wood. She felt trapped, but more than anything she felt useless. All her life she's had to run from one obstacle or another, and now she was left without an exit route. She was trapped in this room alone, even her son had abandoned her. She was neither allowed outside nor permitted to go in search of him.She wished to apologize for how she had spoken to him the last time. He was all she had left. And if she needed to escape this Hell, then she would need his help. Her wounds grew deeper, and they smell like rot and de
Chapter: 57.******Reynold had the dining hall decorated beautifully that morning. The tables were all polished to a shine with white tablecloths adorning the surface, and a large vase of roses sat in one corner to give them an air of romance. The chairs had fresh chrysanthemums placed around the edges, which gave off an extra scent. Even the silverware was pristine, gleaming brightly under the light of hundreds of candles lit up throughout the room. It looked like something from a magazine set. He’d even taken it upon himself to arrange the flowers into the shape of hearts and stars as well as his personal favorite - two rosebuds. That seemed appropriate to him, somehow. He smiled at this small victory before he turned back towards the kitchen entrance.“Morgan. How are things going here?” he called out in his most cheery tone as he approached the kitchen doors. Morgan, the head chef for all the kitchen staff, didn’t need to turn away from the oven to answer her boss. She was wearin
Chapter: 56.******The Weretiger began to tremble again, snuggling deeper into his arms with a barely audible gasp. Cooing softly, Conri brought the blankets up around himself and his lover, taking a moment to caress Caleb's cheek before wrapping his arm around the other again. Within minutes, he realized the trembling wasn't from the cold, Caleb's growing whimpers and protests telling him so. The weretiger had woken up many times, barely got an hour's sleep before jerking awake from nightmares. So again, Conri ran his hands down the Weretiger's back, shushing him, trying to keep him asleep. This time, his lover fell quiet, untensing and resuming his snuggling, a faint smile gracing his lips again. Conri too began to smile, but it faded as the restlessness of his lover began to settle within his heart. He wondered why he wasn't sleeping as soundly as he had done the night of his Rut. Did he perhaps cause it with his absence the entire day? Each time he would jerk awake, he would cur
Chapter: 55.******Caleb woke up feeling slightly better than he did the day before. He stretched slowly, wincing from the sharp pain he felt below his stomach. He hissed and sat up, looking around the room and a frown marred his face when he realized he was alone again. He looked toward the side of the bed where Conri should have slept and frowned when he noticed how undisturbed the sheets looked. He didn't need anyone to tell him that Conri did not come home last night. Or maybe he did and picked a different room. Reynold had fooled him with the whole Erasthai thing. Feeding his head with dreams of hopelessness. Conri would never make him his Greatest Desire. He had only slept with him because of his Rut, nothing more. And whatever they had done during, was all done in the waves of his Rut. He didn't even come home. Was he repulsed by the thoughts of having sex with him that he would abandon his own bed? Or did he sleep in the arms of another? No! Caleb shook his head as if trying
Chapter: 54.******Documents were placed carefully on the desk for him by Barbara while he signed, and flipped them shut then passed them over to Clyde and proceeded to sign the next. There was an assortment of documents from his fathers estate as well as some from various business associates that he needed to deal with. He hadn't planned to spend his entire day signing documents and drinking firewhisky. He needed to get out of there and stretch his limbs, but knowing he had been away from his duties for quite some time, he must tend to the documents now, or else they kept piling up even more. And he would be a poor leader for all if he couldn't even deal with these small annoyances.The sun was beginning its descent toward the horizon, he could feel its warm yellow glow through his office window, and his eyes ached in protest. His body aches, too. He hadn't slept well in weeks and hadn't taken care of himself since he went into Deep Sleep. That is, after all, when things became rath