The next ceremony would be to bind us together as mates and leaders, and this one was a little gross. The elder presented us with a small knife, and he held a bowl in his hand. We were required to make a small cut with our hands and let the blood drop into the bowl. I took the knife first and made a small incision on my hand, watching as the red liquid dripped into the bowl, and on contact it made a sizzling sound. I passed the knife to Vincent, and he made a small cut, and the red liquid dropped into the bowl. On making contact with my own blood, it started sizzling and bubbling as if it wanted to explode, until finally it stopped. The elder nodded his head, satisfied with the results, and he took the bowl from us. He lifted the bowl up to the moon and started muttering some words, which we couldn't hear. After he was through, he gave me the bowl. "This will serve as a connection between you and the pack. Your blood has mixed together, meaning that you are now one with each othe
I gave another last howl to signal the end of the hunt. Max and I were going to retire for the night, and the others were free to do so. We could see wolves leaving the forest for home as they heard my howl.We remain there, basking in the moonlight while cuddling with each other and being content with the world. The world could be going up in flames now, and I could care less.After a while, he got up and shook his head, then let out a short bark. "Let's start going back." He spoke in my head, and I gave him an equivalence of a wolf nod and got up.We decided to walk back since we were in no hurry. We finally got to the edge of the forest, where there were some clothes tucked in between the trees.For privacy, Max left for another tree to look for something to wear. But I found a loose-fitting dress on the spot I was standing, and I wore it. It was feeling itchy on my skin, a sign that it had been there for a long time.Vincent came back, putting on only a pair of grey shirts that se
We were on the bed resting after the intense workout. The smile was never leaving my face, even though I was panting like I had run a marathon. "That was amazing." I exclaimed, smiling. He nodded, his shoulder puffing up in pride. "From your reaction, I guess this is your first time." I nodded my head. It was my first time, but it was amazing. I angled myself towards him and leaned in closer to him."It was my first time, but it was an amazing experience, and I want more, Vincent. I want you to be my first in everything. I want us to be bonded and be one in every way possible." I said offering him my body and everything. He swallowed as he looked at me and said, "Are you sure, Jasmine, there is no going back after this." He was searching my eyes for any sign of discomfort. I took his hand and brought it towards my pussy. "We are already bonded in every way; this is the only thing left to do." He wet his lips as he looked into my eyes, seeing nothing but sincerity. He moved his hand
I squirmed as the sun shone through her blinds and onto my face. Usually, I do wake up when it is still a little dark, but from the rays of light I was feeling on my face, I knew I had slept past my normal wake-up time. I groaned as I stretched, feeling unusually content and satiated. My hand hit a warm body beside me, and from the sparks that flew when our bodies made contact, it was obvious that it was my mate."Vincent? What was he doing on my bed, beside me, naked?" I sat up in surprise, but that was a horrible mistake. I groaned, collapsing onto the bed as pain shot through my midsection. "Fuckkkk..." I cursed out loud. The pain seemed to be the trigger, because memories of the last night began to flood my head. "Fuucckkk…." I moaned, shivering as my body also remembered it."What is wrong? What happened?" Vincent shot from the bed and crawled to my side. His grey eyes were all over my body, looking for the source of the pain or any injury. When he couldn’t find whatever he was l
After the noise of the mating had died down, Vincent moved to my room in the Alpha quarter. My room was more like a suite; my parents had expanded it some years ago. But I barely use the other rooms. But now that Vincent was around, we started using the kitchen more, as he often goes out of his way to cook some of my favourite meals once in a while.I had a talk with him about my stance on childbearing; it would be too stressful for me to raise a child at this particular point in my life. And I was glad; he understood and agreed with me.So for now, we were content with living with only us, without any baby crying or anything of the sort. I could enjoy my mates' undivided attention.A year had passed like that, and Vincent had fully immersed himself in his role as my mate. In fact, he was everything and more. He was a help in every way, proffering solutions and ready to do anything for me.He was still a warrior, a goddamn good one, and one of our favourite past times was training tog
I could feel it in my bones that today wasn't going to be a good day. Call it a sixth sense or whatever, I knew today wouldn’t be a walk in the park. Was it the way the clouds had darkened, threatening to rain cats and dogs, or was it the eerie feeling I felt, the goosebumps on my hand? I should have known and done something to avert it.I looked out the window of my office. My mind wasn’t in the document I was reading or even listening to what my beta was saying. My mind kept going to Vincent, wondering what he was doing. They had gone for another peacekeeping job, but this one had been the longest ever. If I had the power, he would never be going out, but he was a warrior and had a duty to the pack; it's doubtful that he would even agree to stay back when he could help. He was the most selfless person I knew.Besides, it would look bad on my record that I was preventing my mate from fighting when others were risking their lives. But he had been gone for a month plus, and I wish I ha
"What’s wrong? What did he say? Are they still there?" Jake was firing the question at me, but it all sounded muffled, as if I were under water. I couldn’t even comprehend what he was saying. All that was ringing in my head was what the alpha had said."They had left since the crack of dawn; they should be reaching home soon." That particular sentence keeps ringing in my head, and it is determined not to get out."Jasmine, talk to us. What is the situation out there?" Jake pleaded, eager to know what was going on, but my mouth was sealed, unable to say anything."Alpha. We would need more information from you. Anything that can help us track their whereabouts." Malcolm pleaded, both of them looking at me with hungry eyes.I stood up with shaky legs, only one mission on my mind: "to get to my mate." They both got up as soon as they saw that I had stood up, wondering what was happening."Are you okay?" Jake asked again, his eyes regarding me with pity. I was about to reply when my head
I stood with my family; my brother was by my side, holding me so I wouldn’t crumble. I was trying so hard to keep it together, to appear calm and peaceful. And to some extent, I think I was able to achieve that. The huge sunshades on my eyes prevented me from making eye contact with anyone, and they also prevented them from seeing my tear-filled eyes."We have gathered today to mourn the death of a mate, a friend, and a family." I released a ragged breath as I heard my dad’s words. I was still finding it difficult to come to terms with all that was happening. Vincent was an excellent warrior who was unafraid and always ready to help. "It is a shame that the cold hands of death have snatched him away from his loved ones so early." He continued, but not before glancing at me to see if I was okay.He signalled the males beside him, and my breath seized as they began to lower his remains into the grave. I felt a hand on my back, rubbing it. "Breathe, Jaz, breathe. You can do it." My broth
Lucas was able to get me to see reasons why we should merge the pack, and I agree. I had already relayed the information to the pack. At first, they were sceptical about it, not knowing how to behave towards these new intruders. But as words passed around and the date kept drawing near, the excitement began to increase. Everyone had an individual reason for being happy. The nurses and warriors who had been previously sent to the other pack during the exchange were very excited about the news. They could finally see their families without having to get permission to go across the border. While the pack was excited about the possibilities and exposure I would bring. Imagine two powerful packs merging to become one; we would easily become the most powerful and unstoppable pack on the continent, rivaling even the best pack on the continent. I was happy for all those things, but nothing could be compared to the fact that I would get to spend every waking moment with my mate. I was ove
I blinked my eyes, trying to get used to the bright light that was streaming from the window blind. I successfully opened my eyes after several tries and was greeted by the dull painting of my room.I groaned on the bed, feeling my head alight with pain. Something was different, but I couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was. But everything was just different.Maybe it was the way Lucas' scent was saturated in the room; it literally filled everywhere, like he had been staying here all day.I rolled across the bed till I got to the edge, and I placed my legs gingerly on the floor. I tested their strength to see if they could support me, and they could.I stood up slowly and made my way to the bathroom to relieve myself. I washed my hands after I had done my business. From there, I proceeded to wash my face, and I padded out of the room after I was through, back to my room.Someone, whom I assumed was Lucas, had changed me into shorts and a shirt. Just then, my stomach rumbled, and I looke
I didn't know where the man had come from, but he had run up to me and collided with me. The impact was forceful enough to make me stumble all across the floor, and I was lucky I did.Because, just then, the man exploded into bits and pieces beside me, spraying us with his innards.Then everything was pure chaos.Someone screamed behind me, and I suspected it was one of the warriors. I could hear someone running beside me. There was a high-pitched noise ringing in my ears, and it continued, the bell refusing to stop.I could feel my body leaving me, and it was like I was floating in midair from all the chaos. The ringing began to gradually subside, and in that state, I realised that there was a girl who was also at risk of exploding."She can't be away from him; she would blow up. She can't be away from him; she would blow up." I kept murmuring the phrase like a broken toy. It was a way to keep me in touch with reality."Alpha, are you okay?" A cute face peered down at me, worry lines
Under the guidance of Lucas, we were able to safely scale the landmine. And it wasn't until everyone had a good metre passed it and were safe that my breathing finally went back to normal.The fact that someone close to me also had a near-death experience was enough to sober anyone, and we all moved quietly as we walked deeper into the forest.The air was getting stale as we ventured in, and at a point, the hair on my body stood stiff, as if it could tell the danger lurking behind.The sunlight filtered through the towering trees, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor. Everyone was quietly walking forward, and it added to the eerie feeling.I tightened the grip on the hilt of my dagger and took a deep breath, summoning courage. While praying for the goddess to help me.The air grew colder as we ventured further into the heart of the forest, and the sound of nature was slowly fading away, replaced by an unnerving silence.I winced as my shoe got caught on a metal piece, and Lucas t
We have been running for so long that I have lost count of the hours. The adrenaline that had been fueling me was gradually depleting, and I was already getting tired.But I still continued urging on; it also helped that Lucas was beside me, motivating me in his own way. He was running behind me, and anytime my speed was declining, I would feel his cold nose on my rump pushing me forward.That really helped because we were able to cross the border of a pack, and we were currently in another one. I had already gotten permission from the alphas of the pack we would be passing through; it was considered folly not to do so. I also beseeched them for their help, and they were happy to lend their support in their own way.I looked ahead of me and saw that the sun was glistening on a surface, which was no doubt a body of water. I gathered momentum, my legs suddenly becoming alive and kicking forward as I saw the lake.The sun had been scorching down on us in all its ferocity, barely sparing
I could see the silhouette of a man fast approaching where we were standing, and I was instantly on high alert. My hands reached back automatically to the back of my jeans, and I removed an object, craftily hiding it behind me. I had hidden weapons all over my body, and I was currently holding a steel blade that had been so well sharpened that it could cut through anything.I had very good throwing skills, coupled with good hand-eye coordination, so should the person pose a threat to me, I would have the blade firmly lodged in his neck before he could move further, so perfectly that he would be unable to breathe freely.The silhoutte was getting closer, and with it was the scent. That sweet, enticing scent that could only belong to one person wafted to where I was, and I was sniffing it like a dog, wanting more from where it came.The man behind the alluring scent came out of the shadow, his sharp features clearly visible in the dark, and I was holding my breath.Just his presence alo
Maya was urging me to ask my mom about the voice recording because she felt she would have opinions about it. According to her, Kiayra told her that she would know about it. Kiayra was my mother's wolf and had been with her since she shifted.So if there was anyone who would know these things, it was definitely Kiayra. So I listened to her, and I was sending my mother the voice recording. The parents were currently out of town because they went to pay a visit to my aunt.And yeah, my dad is aware of everything that has been going on; he only called to ask me if I was okay and if I ever needed help from him. My dad is a firm believer in letting people do what they want, as long as they are not doing the wrong thing.He said I was the alpha now, and the pack was mine. It was my decision to run it however I wanted to run it, as long as I didn't ruin it. Many people may not agree with that sort of reasoning, but it has helped me grow into a strong, independent woman.But I do believe I am
I groaned as the loud ringing disrupted my sleep. Will there ever be a day where I get 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep? In another world, it may have been possible, but in this present world, I very much doubt that.I took a deep breath to calm myself before I lost it. "Patience, Jasmine, patience. It may just be important." Maya prodded me on, and I sighed as I picked up the device."Hello." I spoke into the receiver. Beside me, Lucas stirred as he heard my voice, and his eyelashes fluttered as he tried to open them, making me swoon because Lucas was always handsome on a regular day, but he was breathtaking when he was sleepy and a little cute."Alpha, help us." A voice whispered panic on the phone, and immediately I was up, every atom of sleep gone from my eyes. Lucas also stirred beside me and sat upright.I heard that voice; it was the woman's bratty daughter that was missing. "Suzy? Is that you?" Lucas' ears perked up as he heard the name. I had informed him of the missing person,
The day was still young, and although the sun was still shining its bright light on us, I was drained and stressed out. I have been wrung out to the point that the only thing that could remedy it was quality rest. And that was what I was going to get now.I looked down at our jointed hands as we walked down the path to the pack house. I could feel curious eyes on us, but I could care less. I was happy that we didn't have to keep hiding the fact that we were mates.We had gotten up to the huge double mahogany door that stood tall and unyielding, and I was going to take another step forward when a thought flashed through my mind and I remembered that he wasn't living in this pack and may likely have somewhere to be. "Don't you have somewhere to be?" I asked, gently stroking the hairs at the back of his palm."Uh?" He raised his eyebrows, looking at me all confused."Your pack." I provided. "You can't leave the pack just like that. I am fine now, so you are free to go." It took great pai