ALEXANDER'S POVI didn't care if my bike got towed away. There wasn't any damn parking near the front door of the hospital and didn't have the patience to find the spot way in the back. I parked right at the curb and took off running inside."Sir, how can I help you?" A nurse smiled at me and I wanted to slap her. How can someone smile during a tragedy? This was the fucking emergency room, bitch."Melissa Dunkens." I was out of breath as panic set in.She tapped on her keyboard as her brows furrowed and her bottom lip frowned. "Oh, she's in the ICU. Only family is allowed back, though.........soI didn't wait for her to complete her bullshit as I ran toward the elevators, hearing her yelling after me. Go ahead and send security, bitch. I scanned the signs next to the elevators and found what I was looking for. ICU. Floor Seven. I couldn't tap the 'UP' button fast when the door finally opened into the moving death box. I fucking hated the elevators, and if I weren't in such a hurry, I
ALEXANDER'S POVI nodded and headed that way, I found that I couldn't enter just yet. I could see her and it froze me to my spot. She was lying on the bed motionless with several machines hooked up to her, including a breathing tube. The sight of her made my stomach turn so that damn emotional ball lodged itself back into my throat. Seeing her so helpless and beat up did things to me. Things I never thought I could feel as hot tears ran down my face.Stepping into her room was suffocating. The machines were beeping and making all kinds of weird noises and it made me uncomfortable. But I pushed through and sat down next to her, taking her hand in mine. She was lifeless but still warm as I let out a breath I hadn't realize I was holding. Then the waterworks broke again as I laid my forehead down on her arm and just cried. "Please don't leave me. Not yet. I can't handle the thought of not having you in my life. I am so sorry for being such a fuck up. I will do better. I promise. Just ple
ALEXANDER'S POVIt was lucky that Axel drove to the hospital in the club truck because my bike was gone like I knew it would be. I will deal with getting it out of impound later. There were more pressing matters to handle at the moment.We were heading down the highway when Axel finally broke down the silence in the truck."I just don't understand.""Understand what?" I was confused."The shooting. Nobody knew where Melissa and Sally were going today. The two people who knew were myself and Melissa. Hell, Sally didn't even know because I knew she would lose her damn mind and find some way not to go to the rehab."I thought about what he was saying. "That doesn't make sense. Melissa is to smart to tell anyone where she was going. She knows the danger of that, especially not having an escort." Then I turned to him. "Why didn't they have an escort?"Axel groaned. "Hell, I didn't think they needed one. Not with this being a secret." Then I watched as the look of realization came over Axel
MELISSA'S POVI couldn't ever remember being in this much pain. I was finally awake and not feeling groggy anymore, but damn if my stomach didn't hurt like hell.Someone knocked on the door as I looked over to find my doctor and a younger man in a dark grey suit standing behind him."How are you feeling, Melissa?" The doctor asked as he smiled warmly at me."Ready to go home," I grumbled. I hated being doted on and the one stuck up in this hospital. Normally, I was the one taking care of everyone, but this time. He laughed. "Well, we can probably get you out of here today. But first, do you mind answering some questions for Agent Johnson here?"I eyed the man standing behind him, and knew why he was here. How many times did I have to tell everyone that I didn't remember much of anything?"Fine.". I just wanted to get this over with so I could go home.Agent Johnson stepped forward and smiled before he took a seat to my left. He pulled out a small notepad from his inside pocket along w
ALEXANDER'S POV As i stood outside the clubhouse smoking a cigarette, Careen talked my leg off on the phone. I hadn't had the guts to talk to Melissa myself so I had to get the details somehow. "She came home today. "She began, "she looks like death. Poor girl. Axel wants her staying here at the clubhouse until further notice, so she's staying in your old room." My heart clenched, and all I could think about was how I wished I could be there with her right now; holding her in my arms as I told her that I wasn't mad anymore. I wasn't upset that she hid the pregnancy from me, or that the baby was gone. I was just glad that she was still with us. Pulling a drag from my cigarette, I blew the smoke out and started the barren land in front of me. "Any other news you have heard?", I asked. "Nope, but Smokey and Gearhead think they are close to finding Jimmy's whereabouts." I still hated hearing Gearhead's name, making me pissed the fuck off. "If you hear anything else, let me know."
MELISSA'S POVI was running faster than I ever thought my legs could move as trees whipped by. It was cold and dark and I had no idea where I was or where I was running to. All I knew that I was running from Jimmy. I had to get away before he caught me. I would never let him have me again. Never. Again.He popped out from around a tree and grabbed me before he threw me to the ground, my face burned from the impact with the Sandy ground. I let out a blood curdling scream as his strong hands held me down, suffocating me. "No! Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!" I flipped and flopped until I was free from his gasp, but then I smelled something familiar and scrunched my nose."Mel8!!"My eyes popped wide open as my tagged breath shook my shoulders and sweat dripped my forehead. I looked into Danny's eyes, and then Careen's and finally Gearhead's. I was back in Alexander's bedroom at the compound, not in woods."You're okay, kid, you're home and safe.". Danny's rough voice tried to calm me,
MELISSA'S POVWhen I woke up, I felt arms around my torso and a strong body behind me as panic began to set in again."No. No!" I tried to squirm free before I screamed again."Hey, ssh."My head whipped around as I looked in Alexander's aqua blue eyes, my nerves immediately settling down. But then my bottom lip began to tremble again as I felt his strong arms wrapped around me even tighter."Hey, don't cry. I'm here now. I am not leaving you ever again." I trembled as I held my sobs back. "I'm. So. Sorry," I choked out."Ssh." He kissed the back of my head and squeezed me tighter to his chest. "Just rest. There isn't anything to be sorry about."That was a lie. I had so many things to be sorry about, and as everything swam through my mind, I finally let a sob break free."Babe, it's okay," Alexander whispered into my hair.I shook my head. "But it's not...""No, I guess you're right." His voice was low and sounded hurt, but he never released his hold on me in slightest."You must hat
MELISSA'S POVAs I laid in bed scrolling through my emails, a light knock echoed through the room. I sat up, hoping that it was Alexander so we could talk. But Careen popped her head in and smiled. Disappointment filled me as I returned her smile."Axel here, your mom's burial is today."I had forgotten how long I had been in the hospital and didn't realize that day was here already. I wasn't ready for something this dark, but I knew my dad needed me today. I nodded at Careen and got up from the bed, hoping I had something in here that would be appropriate enough for the funeral. Club funerals weren't like the traditional ones. As long as the members showed up in their leather cuts, it didn't matter what you wore underneath it.Careen shut the door as I rummaged through the bag of clothes someone brought over from my apartment. I didn't have much to choose from so I grabbed my normal attire: skinny jeans, a white v-cut tee, my boots, and of course, my leather cut. My face was a mess,
Ever reluctantly picked up the last one, his mouth turned down into a pout."Wait a minute," I looked at Brian. "I'm going to need a shot of whiskey to chase this down.""Me too," Ever piped up and added miserably, "and a glass of milk...a big fucking glass of milk."Brian disappeared, only to reappear with another tray containing three more shots and three glasses of milk. Once we gathered the additional shots and milk, Brian said cheerfully, "Cheers, gentlemen."I tossed the hot sauce down my throat, purposefully keeping it out of my mouth, and gulped it down in one swallow. It still burned like a mother in my esophagus. I grabbed the shot of whiskey and drank it slower, letting it wash away the remnants of the hot sauce.Ever coughed and sputtered. I looked over to find tears rolling down his cheeks while he cursed and sucked down milk at the same time. When he could finally catch his breath, he eyed Gwen and threatened, "I am sooo spanking you when we go home, woman."I laughed, "
"Oh yeah, we got it," Ever replied. His lips were curled into a smug expression as he also watched Hycinth's responses. His confidence was high. Clearly looking forward to the game.Hycinth noticed his stare as well, but rather than reflect irritation as she had earlier, her lips curled back, flashing him a brilliant smile with fang.And fucking winked at him!Fuck, she was bold. Her confidence not only met but exceeded his. I was dying to know if she could back it up. Either way, her ballsy response threw him off. His expression froze. He blinked. But then he recovered, licking his lips, looking even more eager.Brian continued explaining the rules, "If a ball hits the ground, it is retired, and a fresh ball is put into play." He pointed toward a small bucket of gleaming white ping-pong balls on a countertop behind him."For the shot to count, keep your elbows behind the edge of the table."Hycinth listened attentively."No fingering or blowing."At this, she squeezed Gwen's hand and
LEANDER'S POV Surprisingly, she gave it to me. She kept one hand on my shoulder, and raised the other, letting it sway freely in the air. Her body molded to mine, pliable, willing to let me move her as I wanted. And oh, I wanted to move her...in many ways. Most of which, we couldn't do on a dance floor surrounding by an audience of strangers. But it didn't stop me from forcing my knee between her legs and jerking her lower body tight to mine until no space remained. The movement caused her dress to slide up, but I still couldn't see whether or not she wore panties. However, the heat of her core was unmistakable against my leg."Oh!" she gasped loudly, chest heaving. And then began grinding herself against my thigh, her hips moving in time with the music...using me for her own pleasure. I wondered if she even realized she was doing it.My breath caught in my throat. The image of her was almost too much. Eyes closed, mouth slack, hips moving wantonly against me, her belly rubbing pleas
I raised an eyebrow. "Out of all of them, alcohol is the one you fixated on? Should I be worried?"There was a sparkle in her eye, a hint of mischievous I'd never seen before. "Certainly not. I enjoy dancing and music just as much.""Uh huh," I replied, not at all convinced by her innocent act. It seemed I was definitely going to have to keep an even closer eye on her during the evening.When we reached the living room, Ever and Gwen were waiting for us, as well as Asher and Willow. Gwen wrapped Hycinth in a bear hug. "You look gorgeous!"I was surprised to see Hycinth blush. But she recovered quickly. "Thanks so much for letting me borrow it!""Ready?" Asher grinned.I gave a hard nod. "More than ready."We decided to use drivers rather than drive ourselves. Knowing myself, Ever and Asher, none of us would be in the best shape to drive later. When Hycinth and I climbed into the back of the Cadillac, she settled comfortably into the plush, oversized leather seat next to me. The driver
Sit Up & BegLEANDER'S POV After I touched base with Ever to confirm our plans, I quickly made my way up the stairs.My Wolf was flying high on his mate. Completely blitzed and full-out addicted. Spending hours running, playing and lazily lying around, was exactly his definition of perfection. There was nothing better than having her close to him...well, except for under him. I couldn't agree more. She was better than any drug. Everything about our mate was intoxicating.Rounding the corner and heading down the long hallway, excitement coursed through me, leaving my skin tingling, and my manhood itching to get free. That particular part of my anatomy only ever had one goal- to forever bury himself in Hycinth's hot and tight flesh. Pure bliss. But alas, as much as I wanted to indulge that train of thought, I had more to focus on than just my carnal desires. Not to mention it would be hugely uncomfortable and inconvenient to walk around with a hard-on all night, so I exhaled and forcef
HYCINTH My Wolf was in heaven. The wind whipped through her fur as we flew by tall trees rising out of the earth to kiss the sky. Her nostrils flared with the scents of moss, bark and wild mushrooms. The spongy surface beneath our paws gave away easily, still damp from the recent rain showers. Acorns, pine cones, and fallen leaves were strewn about the well-worn path like spilled trinkets.And her mate by her side.There was nothing better for her. No other place she would rather be than right where she was. Leander's Wolf was magnificent. Powerful and sure, sleek and dominant-a potent elixir to our senses. Primal.Addictive.We were running at the front of the pack. He was pushing her endurance and testing her ability. His big paws powered ahead, silently gliding over the uneven ground, pitted with rocks and roots, easily leaping to clear dead logs, and maneuvering around encroaching thick brambles -a virile display of his strength and agility. My Wolf had to put forth considerable
Lucky's expression was still affected by the scene that had unfolded in front of him, but he nodded his head and walked away with the guards.Ever turned to Hycinth and murmured, "We have stalls located on the east side where you can remove your dress in privacy and shift.""Okay," she responded and looked at my Wolf hesitantly. It was obvious she wasn't sure what he would be doing while she changed. He answered that question for her by walking toward the changing stalls. She quickly scrambled after him. When they reached their destination, he nudged the door open with his big head. She went inside the large sectioned off space that was open to the air above. And he followed along right with her, not intending to leave her side for even a moment.Her heart raced as she understood what he wanted her to do get undressed in front of him and shift. Amazingly enough, there was no negotiation like I'd had to go through to see her creamy flesh. She simply complied with his wishes, removing h
Running With The WolvesLeanderI kept Lucky close by during the ceremony. Not just for the reason I gave Hycinth...because Lucky didn't seem to give a shit before he said whatever the hell he wanted...I liked his boldness and the opportunity he might spout other useful tidbits of information about my little mouse. However, the other reason was much, more simple I wanted him to see how she reacted to me, I wanted him to see us together. Regardless of his parentage and his history, he was a full adult male Wolf. I could sense it pained him not to have his own mate...and he understood how nature was driving me to possess mine.I also wanted his blessing. I would never tell him that, but I recognized how invaluable it would be. All I had to do was be transparent enough, and let him see the truth for himself...how I felt about his sister. Maybe it wouldn't change anything, maybe it wouldn't help...but maybe it would. It couldn't hurt to try. And I was willing to try anything at this poin
I refocused on Leander. "Stop it. Whatever you are thinking, stop it right now! My brother's just being an ass. It comes naturally to him. He can't help it."Leander looked at Lucky, not quite ready to let it go and said, "Maybe we should keep your brother with us during the rest of the celebration. Just in case he has any other pearls of wisdom he would like to share.""Maybe, he should go back to the dungeon until he learns to behave," I retorted.Lucky's face fell, genuine hurt crossing his expression, and instantly, I regretted my words. I said hurriedly, "I didn't mean that! Of course, I want you to stay with us for as long as possible.""Why don't you find him a seat nearby," Leander said to one of the wolves guarding him. The Wolf did as ordered and all three sat down close by.Leander and I went back to the still waiting line of wolves and continued where we'd left off. I enjoyed hearing their stories and was fascinated as I watched Leander interact with them. He made eye cont