Ciaran's Point of View
Alvara had surprised us all. An endless fire raged behind her ribs. We had been right. I had seen those same flames rage against her circumstances. At first she had shrunk back from Adelia. But that fire pushed her further. Driven her to stand up for herself. The sight was something else to behold.
When we had met her, she was nothing but a timid girl trying to hide. Only a few days here and something had shifted deep within her. For the better. Even though she had spent days with Maverick and Dargan, I felt a certain comfort in knowing that she was taken care of. That all her emotional needs were slowly being met.
I hadn't bargained on Sybil and Adelia showing up. Hadn't bargained on Adelia being so persistent in her pursuit of going to one of those orgies. Or rather, our sex clubs. The practice had started when the pack was founded. Dargan, Maverick, Ozias and I's sexual tastes were rather on the dark side. In t
Ozias' Point of ViewAvoiding Adelia was the one rule I had made for myself. The woman was a vile excuse for werewolf. Nothing ever mattered to her as much as money and power. A present to her left by her father. How Sybil had endured the man for years was beyond me.Dargan had retreated to his gaming room and I had holed up inside the library. Albert had yet to meet Alvara, causing the man to nearly throttled me each time I came up to him empty handed. I still couldn't figure out how I would introduce the two, seeing as we wanted to keep her rather tragic history for ourselves just a second longer. Just until we knew she was on more stable grounds.Black hair popped out behind the door. Caramel eyes took in my precarious reading position. Rolling my eyes at his frown, Ciaran smiled. Albert had fallen deeper into the library, stacking our more expensive items into their slots. Ciaran also loved the written world but the love was muted s
Ozias' Point of ViewPondering my reply for a second, Alvara bit her bottom lip. My stomach stirred in reply. Keeping my distance was the wisest decision. Being this close to her drove my wolf to the brink of madness. All I wanted was to get closer. Be beside her in the most intimate of ways."That is a sad existence," She finally settled on a reply. I smiled ruefully at her. Reaching forward, I plucked a lily from the plant. "All I know is that she must be stupid to not accept you.""You say it as if she even knows I adore the very ground she walks on." I laughed bitterly. Alvara watched me from the corner of her eye. Tenderly, I stroked the flower in my hand. The petal felt soft, fragile. But hundreds bloomed around us. They were Savanah's favorite flower as well. I had planted these for her upon my return. To say sorry for my absence."Is this why you joined me in the garden?" Alvara asked, letting her arms fall freely to her
Alvara's Point of ViewShopping day had finally caught up with me. My worst nightmare made flesh. Finding plus size clothing was a massive headache. Plus size lingerie was damn near impossible. The thought nearly drove me to sleep another few hours. Ozias had explained to me the urgency of what I wore. Sexy, yet refined. As if we could find anything in my size.What had I gotten myself into? As of last night, the planning had started on the sex party. Or orgy. Or whatever the true term for it was. My nerves where shot at the prospect of actually attending. Sadly, my mouth and ego had gotten the better of me. Regardless of what I had said to Ozias and in the presence of Adelia, I wasn't all too sure this was what I wanted.For years my fantasies had plagued me. I wanted more out of my life, especially my sex life. Now faced with those fantasies, I felt guilty. Technically, I was still a married woman. Married women never went to parties
Alvara's Point of ViewI had been hideously wrong about shopping. Flitting from store to store brought out a new type of excitement within me. Clothing bags filled with new garments hung from a silent Harland. Everywhere I we went, I found clothes that not only fit me but matched the style I had always wanted. As if Teagan just knew where to shop for the best clothes to fit my body. I loved it. Lived for it.Teagan was also an absolute pleasure to be around. Her smiles and encouragements made me feel sexier than I had in years. Confident within my own skin. Now and again, Harland would comment on outfit choices as well. Things Eugene would have killed me for wearing, Harland complimented me on, telling me how lucky my mate was for having me. Teagan would grow irritated with her big brother's comments and ushered him to a smoothie shop or food stall for us.The day was pleasant. Up beat. Nothing like my days spent within the confines of
Ciaran's Point of ViewThe party would take place within next week. Sybil would send us the official date and time later on. Invites were being printed. The theme had been set as well. Everything was going to plan. Almost. Yet, I still couldn't grasp the fact that Alvara had insisted on the party. I knew she wanted to out-stage Adelia. Make the girl regret her decision on making such calloused comments about someone she had never met before. There had been this terrifying cockiness surrounding Alvara. It was enough to make me even harder."Okay, so the new unemployment rates are in. Our quarterly reports as well. The exchange rate for Dollars had gone to shit, putting our American ventures in a wonderful light. The are striking on the mines again, something about not getting paid enough. And I have one massive fucking headache," Ozias rambled, scanning the book in his hands. Our eyes met from across the room and he stopped. "You look more trou
Ciaran's Point of ViewDeathly silence fell over the room. Everyone had seen the name. Maverick cussed under his breath. Should we refuse to answer, we might miss our one opportunity to wring the truth from her neck. Answer and we might just lose our temper enough to threaten her life. I chose the latter."Angelique. I never thought I would have the displeasure of your company again." I purred and put the phone on speaker. Whatever she had to say, my generals had the right to hear. This must be concerning Alvara. Their mate as much as mine.Laughter boomed through the phone. Male. Dark and tormented. "I am glad to know my mother is someone you haven't stolen from me, at least." Eugene said. Hair on my arms stood straight at his voice. Anger loosened around me. Looking up, I noticed murder within Dargan's eyes. The Omega wanted blood. Needed to slake his thirst. Retribution for what Alvara had endured."You imply I stole someone e
Alvara's Point of ViewJust hearing his voice was enough to cause my brain to short circuit. I had only ever imagined him storming in and grabbing me by my hair, forcing me to return to Half-Moon. The nightmares alone drove me into cold sweats and whimpering. To actually hear him say that he would take my life physically made me sick. Suddenly, I was back there again, with him hurting me profusely.Dinner was tense. Sybil hadn't come by this time, rather sticking to planning our party alone. There was an elephant in the room no one wanted to address. At least Ciaran had complimented my new hair choice. Maverick picked at his food whilst Dargan had skipped it all together.Tomorrow. I would find out tomorrow what was up with him. For now, I just had to eat and sleep. Hopefully no nightmares would come. No unknown face staring at me in the dark. It was petrifying sleeping alone but I couldn't bring myself to ask any of them to sleep in th
Alvara's point of ViewCiaran had fallen asleep on my chest. What he had told me last night made me understand him a bit more. Made me question all of the assumptions I had made. Memories weighed down his mind like boulders. Troubled him late at night when no one else was watching. He was strong. Stronger than I had ever been. To leave his pack at ten years old was a great feat.No nightmares troubled him whilst he was sleeping in my arms. My own nightmares never came. I felt at home with him beside me. As if nothing could touch me.I woke at the first signs of light. Ciaran was propped up on an elbow next to me. Smiling softly, he tucked a stray hair behind my ear. I recoiled, shocked that someone was still beside me. Ciaran chuckled, straight teeth gleaming in the early morning light."How long have you been staring?" I asked and covered myself more with my blanket. HIs smile curled even more upwards."Long enough to see
Alvara’s Point of View “Aunty Adelia!” Aurelia screeched and ran to the front door. Adelia leaned against the frame, arms crossed over her chest, until she saw my daughter. Her face lit up like a thousand little lights. Her arms unfolded and reached forward. The little girl jumped full force into her. Nearly knocked her inside the house. Dargan came in behind me carrying the diaper bag. As he passed me, he kissed the side of my face. His wedding ring glinted in the afternoon sunlight. I swelled at the sight, still transfixed at the thought that I was a married woman. Married to the loves of my life. “My sweet girl!” Adelia exclaimed and threw Aurelia into the air. A giggle escaped the two-year old. Her dress puffed out around her. Hair fluttered in the wind. Dark golden blonde. Curly, like mine. The trees were a bright green. The grass neatly trimmed. Flowers bloomed all around us. Maverick was next to walk up. His hand settl
Alvara’s Point of ViewJessebelle stood at the edge of the fighting. Kept a close eye on all of her men. Guns fired in rapid succession. Wolves tore men limb from limb. Blood coated the grass. Between it all, Ciaran had a standoff with Eugene.Both sides landed blows. Bones crunched beneath their combined strength. Ozias had run after the Beta. Maverick shot whoever got closest and Dargan was still passed out cold.For a moment before Ciaran had arrived, I was sure I would be dead by the end of this. I was sure that I wouldn’t see the morning. Yet, Jessebelle had pulled through. Made sure that the odds were fatly stacked against Eugene. With however many reinforcements he called, he still wouldn’t win. Money drove him. Drove his pack, which wasn’t a good motivator. Love and freedom drove ours.Mason had gotten away in the chaos Harland caused. Got hold of Jessebelle and convinced her that we needed h
Maverick’s Point of ViewThe truck collided with the first of their cars. I lurched forward, gripping tightly onto the dashboard. My driver floored it. Scraped the road with their scrap metal. I braced as we hit another one. Men darted from their positions. Drew their guns and fired rapidly at the sides of the truck. Bullets peppered the steel but refused to go through. Thousands and thousands of rands were spent securing my people.The border patrol was thin tonight. Almost lax. According to Mason, we would have a hard time getting through, but this seemed almost too easy. Some of my men jumped from the rear. I heard their feet hit tar. Saw them run beside us. They opened fire. Some of Eugene’s men held up small flags with a diamond on it. I opened my window and craned my neck outside.“Don’t hurt the ones with the flags! They are on our side!” I screamed to my men. All of them nodded and proceeded to atta
Dargan's Point of ViewMy feet ached from the pace I was setting. I dodged trees. Cleared ditches. Lungs screamed for me to slow down. Air came in short supply. I had to take it easier. But I refused. It had been years since I ran with such ferocity. With so much intent and purpose, it nearly drove me mad.Alvara sounded far beyond distressed. Her voice had pitched and fallen. The fear was tangible in my mind still. She needed us and she needed us now. Everything we had endured led up to this moment. I would not let her have the same fate as Savanah. Let her die in a pack that hated her deeply. Die beside a man that had used her all her life.Those revelations set my mind blazing. My legs pumped harder. Drove me further. I could see the lights of houses in the distance. Slowing down, I sniffed the air. Picked up the scent of several enemies. I lightened my steps and avoided the trail where the scent was strongest.Two secon
Ciaran's Point of ViewMaverick nearly crawled out of his skin the moment Alvara left. Her mind link had shut between us. Locked us out of her thoughts. But I could feel every tremor of fear. Every quickening of her pulse. The panic she felt. Her small feeling of pride. Like she was still with us. Yet, none of us could reach her. Speak to her mentally. It drove us insane. Made us bite our nails and down glasses of whiskey. This was hell.Our minds remained open at all times. We had a plan but plans could change at any moment. Alvara had to be able to reach us at a moment's notice. Thus, we played riddles and made jokes through the mind link. To keep it sharp and make sure it was open even whilst we were sleeping.Ozias wouldn't stop pacing. Dargan smoked more than he had ever before. We weren't far from her. Maybe 80 kilometers, tops. Maverick and Dargan were closer. Harland camped out on a farm close to the edge of Half-Moon. We were w
Alvara's Point of View All the lights in the house were off when I woke up. Glowing moonlight sifted in from the open curtains. A cool breeze drifted over my bed. Yet I had woken up. No nightmares plagued me. No monsters hidden in shadows. My body had made peace with my surroundings, even if my mind was a bit slow to adjust. There wasn't a sound to be heard. Barely a cricket chirping. But I was awake and it was hell. Maybe two in the morning. I rolled onto my side and closed my eyes once more. Sleep danced at the edge of my mind and I rolled back onto my back. Then I heard it. The near-silent struggle in the room beside mine. Soft groans. Scraping of nails across flesh. Grunts of satisfaction. I covered my ears with a pillow. Eugene had a lady visitor over. As I had told Angelique, he would never change. I willed myself to sleep until I realized that Teagan's room was beside mine. Cold dread settled into my spine. Blind panic
Alvara's Point of ViewAs I had thought, Eugene never came to dinner. He had made paint swatches with Mariposa. We could all hear them laughing and bantering above us. Then, she had insisted they go out to eat. Something about having a craving met. So, that was exactly what they had done. Without so much as a whisper about spending too much money, they were off.If she had arrived before any of this had happened, I would have believed it when he told me she was just some woman he was helping. Clung to the idea that some part of him was still good inside instead of rotten and foul. Now, I knew better. Knew that she was his mate and I had been used for my money all these years.Stolen from my pack. Kept under lock and key because they couldn't find the keys to my family's kingdom. Somehow, after spending so much time with my own mates, I understood why he was so excited. Happy. She brought out the best in him as all mates would. But she w
Alvara's Point of View"You asked for me?" I said from the door. Eugene lifted his head, looking at me with a soft smile. He nodded and I stepped inside."Did you find everything you were looking for today?" A vague question. Very vague. It set me on edge enough that I lowered my gaze. Made my eyes appear larger than they actually were. Eugene put a hand out towards me and I took it when I got closer."I forgot how expensive everything was. I am sorry you had to spend money on me." I whispered back. Eugene kept that soft smile on his lips. Gently, he tugged me into his lap. I nuzzled into his neck, draping my legs over his.This was wrong. Utterly wrong. Being close to another man in such an intimate way hurt my heart. Every memory I had of my mates flashed into my mind, making my soul hurt even more. They were far away and I was inside the monster den with only Teagan to help me."Anything for you. I hate how we left thin
Alvara’s Point of ViewMason met us at the house. Unlike when I had first met him, he had a suit on. Sunglasses. Polished shoes. As if he had changed overnight. The young man I had come to know was gone. When Eugene greeted him, he simply gave a curt ‘Alpha’ and a bow of the head. Everything felt formal. Stuffy. As if the air had thickened in just a few seconds. Teagan looked between the two men and shrugged when I looked at her.I had personally asked for Mason, but it still didn’t mean that we were completely safe to wander around. The rest of the pack was still on Eugene’s side, and I had returned. Once an outsider, always an outsider. At least now I knew why they had stayed away.As for Lover’s Quarrel members, they had stayed away because Eugene had threatened them. Told them that if they interfered with me, they would lose their jobs or their lives. None of them would risk that. Until now.