Teagan's Point of ViewThe cabin went up in a blaze of glory. Fire licked the dark sky, casting the trees around it in a sickly orange glow.From here, I couldn't feel the heat. Even with the window of the car rolled down to the max, I couldn't feel it. Icy tendrils had climbed beneath my skin and refused to let go of me. Not even the heat of the fire dimmed it.Five men, dead within two days. Such loss of life. Such a waste.Ulrich had put me in the car right after he killed the last one. Placed a tender kiss on my temple when another wave of nausea hit on our way over. Once satisfied that I wasn't going to pass out from what just occurred, he headed back to the cabin. Dragged all of the bodies inside and set it on fire.I could smell the flesh burning already. Knew that they would be nothing but charred husks by morning. Only a few people came this way and none would be around by tomorrow morning.This gave the fire enough time to ravage them."Are you alright?" Ulrich asked as he
Bellamy's Point of ViewShe had done it. Actually finished the job I had started. Then came to ask me for my help...I was pleasantly surprised by this. Knew that we were making progress in some odd way. Baby steps. That's what it was. Just enough movement within our relationship that I could even start calling it that."Where are you going?" My father grumbled from the dining area.He was seated at the head of the table like he always was. A paper tucked between his hands. Steaming cup of coffee off to the side."Out. Teagan asked me to meet her at some restaurant." I lied.She wanted me to go into the residential area of town. But then he would ask me why she wanted to meet me there. I didn't have an answer for that one, so settling on a lie was easier.My father's brows furrowed together. Fingers locked onto the pages of his newspaper harder than it was supposed to."You are still injured. There is no chance in hell-"I was already twisting away from him. Moving to the front door.
Teagan's Point of ViewEvery time Ulrich groaned in front of me, my heart clenched tightly. Made rocks fall down into my stomach. He was so pale compared to his normal complexion. Looked about near ready to leave this life. From time to time, he would murmur as well. Some incoherent words about a woman called Joanne.When he said her name, I would freeze in place. Couldn't think about what to do with myself right then.All of this was my fault. From start to finish. An epic catastrophe. If I hadn't come back here, then he wouldn't have come either. Wouldn't have been placed directly in harm's way. Then last night, I decided to let him go with me. Mostly out of fear that I might get hurt or killed. Threw caution to the wind the minute I decided to indulge his advances a bit too much.Now he was hurting.And there was nothing I could do about it."Amadeus will call me back when he has answers," Bellamy said as he walked out of the bedroom.I nodded. Bit down on my lower lip as my eyes
Ulrich's Point of View *** I could see her just beyond the hedges. A bustling wave of red hair flowed down her back. As I approached, she turned her head just in time to look at me. Wide smile spread across her lips. Laugh trickled out of her mouth like honey. "Took ya' long enough to find me," Joanne said, a lilt in her voice that made my stomach tighten. Her Irish accent seemed so at home here. So normal. Even with us being thousands of miles from her home. An exotic bird in a strange land. But she was always so willing to call this place home. Wherever I went, she would follow. Or so she had reassured me about a thousand times. "You were hiding so well," I replied and folded my arms around her waist from behind. Snuggled into her hair with a deep inhale. "I thought I would never find you." Another lilting chuckle escaped her lips as she dipped forward. Pushed me away with the curve of her back and bum. "What kind of soldier are ya' if ya couldn't find me fast?" Joanne spu
Teagan's Point of ViewBellamy left with a flurry of anger in his every step. Seethed silently. Refused to look at me as he walked out.But I knew he wouldn't tell his father about Ulrich. It would put me at risk and if something happened to Ulrich, I might just lose my mind. The heir knew all of this. Wouldn't put me in harm's way.Not even just to spite me."Harland?" I asked when the line clicked into place on my phone.There was another long silence. Nothing even stirred in the background. Taking the phone away from my ear, I stared at the screen. On hold. He answered and then promptly put me on hold.All while my life this side of the world was falling apart. Whilst I had no way of fixing any of it. Or I just didn't know how to fix it. Regardless, he placed someone else-"Sorry. Sorry. Ciaran called a second after you did and I had to answer. We are in the middle of peace negotiations in Lupitum. Apparently, humans are giving them grief. And I-""Ulrich got turned into a wolf."
Teagan's Point of ViewOur tongues danced together in a flurry. All hands and teeth and hurried breaths. Ulrich's hands traveled down my back. Brushed the top of my ass. Dug his fingers into my back. My shirt crumpled beneath his touch, nails digging into my flesh through the material.Biting down on his bottom lip, I pulled it away from his teeth. Bit down hard enough that there would be a bruise tomorrow. He shuddered and I shoved my hands into his hair.Pulled at his roots, tipping his head back. Slowly, I leaned my mouth down and hovered over his collarbone. Kissed it softly. Nipped it. Moved down, pulling his shirt to the side. Nipped at his bare skin there then kissed it. Blew air over the wet spot. Ulrich snaked his arms fully around me. Jutted his hip into mine and twisted. In a smooth move, he flipped me onto the couch, him hovering over me.His eyes glowed against his skin. Dark shadows crossed his face as he leaned down and captured my lips with his. Tantalizing sparks b
Teagan's Point of ViewWe were a tangled mess of limbs and ragged breaths. Spent. Fully and wholly. Every muscle in my body ached deliciously. Screamed at me to get into a hot bath and just stay there.Ulrich's arm was beneath me. His other draped over my side. I could feel his eyes on my face. Feel him scanning me from head to toe."Are you alright?" He asked, face still cast into a blissful haze.There was no right way to answer his question. So many emotions roiled inside of me. Elation was one of them. But so was guilt. Harland would be here in a few hours time. And I was in the bed of another man. Had mated to him without him even knowing it.Because that's the reason he had bitten me. To mark me. Claim me as his. Without Ulrich knowing it, his wolf had taken over. Drove him to claim me.He didn't even know what mates were. Not fully. Because no Google search could fully prepare you for the responsibility we now had to each other. I wouldn't be able to deny him anymore. Couldn
Harland's Point of ViewAbout an hour before we landed, my stomach tightened into several knots. Lumps formed in my throat as I replayed the entire conversation Teagan had had with me.Then came the conversation with Ciaran. How I had to tell him she needed me urgently. After a lot of convincing from Alvara, he let me go. The drug-importing problem could wait.Everything could wait.My mate had sounded petrified with nowhere else to turn to. Nobody else to trust. And I was sure as shit not going to let her do anything on her own.Teagan was more than capable of handling herself, of that I was sure. But this seemed different. As if the entire world was caving in on her and she had no way of keeping the weight firmly on her shoulders.That's why I jumped at coming. Put everything I have been working on on hold. Because the world could break out into war and I wouldn't do a single thing about it if she didn't want me to.***Ulrich's Point of View"Michael, I think I fucked up," I said o
7 Months Later Teagan's Point of View "Who has the baby bag!" Ulrich screamed, flitting from room to room as he scrambled to get the one thing he was tasked with. "Already in the car," I mumbled, slipping out of my soaked nightgown. Although I doubted he heard me. No one could hear me above their panic right now. Who thought the baby would come in the middle of the night? Not fucking me. Not when I had finally figured out a way to sleep with such an enormous stomach. "Did you install the car seat like I asked?" Bellamy screamed back. I could hear him in the living room. He had forgotten to set up the spare cot downstairs. Thought now would be a good time to do it. Rolling my eyes, I slipped into a clean dress. Didn't bother with underwear. They were going to come off, anyway. "I can't find the fucking car keys! Who had them last?" Harland screamed. The house was echoing with their voices. Bounced around relentlessly. So it was no help to remind him that they were on the
Bellamy's Point of View"Where is he!" I screamed down the moist hallway. Down here in the earth, everything was damp. Which was strange, given we were in the middle of a desert.But that wasn't the problem right now. The problem was Felix. The bastard wasn't anywhere near the cells. Hell, his scent wasn't even here, which meant he had never made it down here to begin with. "Heir, sir, Alpha," The guard nervously stammered, sweat beading on his forehead. "From the list in the office, he was brought here right after you asked. The last man on duty here even swore he had booked him in."He had lied, no doubt. Or this little maggot was. Either way, Felix had never been here. No doubt thanks to all of his bribery. "Find him! The enemy is on our doorstep and you let our only fucking bargaining chip escape!" I roared and spun on my heels to march back the way I had come in. We had evacuated everyone in the town within an hour. Left only shells for homes and shops. Mariland and Keagan
Teagan's Point of View"Get most of the civilians to the ranch! Don't trust fucking any of the guards! The moment they try something funny, kill without mercy." Bellamy all but screamed as we stopped in front of the house.The two cars that had followed us from the desert were barely full, compared to when they left with us in the first place. So many of Bellamy's men had turned. Or died. "What do you want me to do?" I asked, clinging to his arm. Watched as his face shifted. Took in everything around us all at once.Those caramel eyes turned towards me. Blinked slowly."Why did you call my brother?" Bellamy asked in a whisper that no one else would be able to hear.Not with all of the commotion taking place around us.I stiffened. Twitched my eyes away from him.I knew he was going to be upset. I just hadn't thought it would come so soon. Not when we were still in crisis mode."Because I would rather take his help than see any of you in a grave. We need his man-power and he is more
Teagan's Point of ViewWe headed out into the eastern part of the desert with several guards in tow. The ones who stayed behind with Felix were informed of the situation and instructed to keep him shackled at all times.Killing him wasn't an option. Not until we could safely get Jonah back. The moment we had him or deemed him-I swallowed down the lump in my throat, shoving the thought that he might already be gone to the back of my mind.Bellamy was never going to forgive himself if he didn't say goodbye to his father. Especially after the note Jonah had left in his last file.As if he knew he was walking into his death."There... On the dune just past that large outcropping." Ulrich said from the passanger side.He was looking west now. Scanned the horizon fervently with the stars shining down on us.Out here in the middle of the night was the best time. With no light pollution, the air was clear. The Milkyway a shiny symbol above us.But in the direction Ulrich was looking, someone
Teagan's Point of ViewThe end note left my mind reeling. Shot a wave of dizziness through my body. Jonah knew. Knew about Harland being here and about Ulrich. Knew that we had taken some of his files. And he had done nothing about it. Actually counted on the fact that we might come snooping again.Now he was somewhere in the desert, likely dead, from what the note implied."We have to tell Bellamy." I breathed, feeling my lungs quiver with each word.Ulrich's eyes shot towards mine. Eyebrows nearly touched his hairline. "There is no fucking way I'm letting you go down there by yourself. We might not be able to hear what is happening but I can assure you, it isn't going to be pretty." "His father can be somewhere out there fighting for his fucking life and you just want to keep that from him when we can try and help?" I screeched, balling my hands into tight fists.A sheepish look passed over his face then. One of pain as well. "It's not like the guy is winning the Father of the Yea
Teagan's Point of ViewHarland moved closer to me on instinct. Shifted his weight to his dominant leg. Geared himself up for a confrontation if the need arose."What do you mean he can handle himself? Why would he have to?" I pushed more, feeling a shift of energy all around me.Felix gave me another long and cruel smile. Took one step forward before I noticed several men behind him. All tall and menacing. Brooding hulks that engulfed the space we stood in.None of them looked familiar. Or even scented to me that I knew them."Let's just say that Jonah isn't the only one fighting for his life right now." My heart slammed into my throat. Bellamy. He was talking about Bellamy. Harland sensed my urgency. Spun around and pushed me lightly to the staff door on the other side of the kitchen. "Go. I can handle this." He urged, fear lacing his voice.He was my mate and I loved him dearly. But he wasn't the best fighter around. Ulrich, on the other hand, was.I nodded and broke for the door
Teagan's Point of View Even with everything aired out, Harland barely looked my way. His shoulders were still sagging. Hair fell into his eyes. And whenever I tried to make eye contact with him he would look away the moment he noticed. The air wasn't clear yet. "He is going to be away for two days. I say we haul up in the pack house and start digging for whatever we can find on him. I told him I'm your new assistant, so he won't question my scent. Harland can lead the run tonight so that no one questions your absence too much. Get the shit and-" Bellamy shook his head in the driver's seat. Locked eyes with me in the back of the car. At least Harland had agreed to drive with us instead of walking. "No. I'll go lead the run. They won't expect Teagan to be there, seeing as the news of her pregnancy has spread like wildfire. Jonah can smell Harland in the house when he gets back because by then we will have everything we need to dethrone him. Just make sure that Felix doesn't j
Ulrich's Point of View Their family was fucked up. Beyond fucked up. Made me thankful that I had grown up in the foster system. Drama on drama on drama. Like there was no end to it. But it shaped Harland and Teagan into who they were. Gave me the greatest blessing I could ever have. Teagan. Our baby. A future where I didn't have to kill or maim. A stable home. Well, it was going to be a stable home the minute all of this madness passed. Died down. Which wasn't going to happen anytime soon, I was sure of that. "Harland. Wait up!" I screamed and followed him down the driveway. If he heard me, he gave no sign of it. Continued marching toward the gate and away from all the shit this place gave him. "Harland!" I tried again and upped my pace. Broke into a sprint. When I touched his shoulder, he whirled on me. Those were tears in his eyes. Snot peeking out from his nose. He was crying. And I could feel his pain as if it were my own. "Something wrong?" He asked, wiping his face
Teagan's Point of View Jessebelle brought out tea and coffee for everyone. Stood at the door and watched as the drama unfolded. Her little smirk of satsifaction upon seeing Mariland's distraught face was enough to make me smile as well. "Now then, we have something to drink. The mood in the room seems to be less intense. Care to explain what happened?" Bellamy asked, placing his coffee on the small table in the middle of the room. We were sitting around the living room like we were friends. Discussing the weather and upcoming plans. Like we weren't hoping the other would just fall over and die. Keagan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Placed on leg over the other. His eyes slid my way. Took me in with a remorseful look that had my bones aching. Was he ever as bad as Mariland? Not really. But he permitted it and that was all the confirmation I needed to not pity him. "When we mated, we tried for years to have a child. Jonah was freshly made the Alpha of Desert Sun and h