The scent of burning sage lingered in the air, mingling with the faint musk of leather and old parchment. Inside the library, Kelda carefully turned the brittle pages of an ancient tome, her fingers tracing the faint Norse etchings. The firelight from the hearth flickered against the towering bookshelves, casting moving shadows across the worn wooden floor.“It’s here,” Kelda murmured at last, her voice carrying an almost reverent tone. Her silver-blue eyes glinted as she leaned closer to the text, examining the runes etched into the faded vellum. “The Starfire bond... it’s older than we even imagined.”Across the oak table, Liza looked up sharply, her pen poised halfway through a line in her leather-bound journal. She adjusted her glasses and scooted her chair closer, her curiosity palpable.“What does it say?” Liza asked, her voice imbued with a mix of scholarly interest and trepidation.Kelda exhaled, scanning the runes again to be certain of her translation. “It’s not just any bon
Vivi"Fuck it all to hell!" I cursed as I grabbed the ticket from the windshield of my old Jeep Wrangler. It was the third one in the last two weeks! "What happened to brotherhood of the badge shit?" Two little white-headed ladies walking by on the sidewalk gave me the stink eye for my outburst. "Sorry," I mumbled, but I wasn't really. How could a town that had literally one main road have so many fucking parking laws? I felt like I had broken most of them in the short time I'd been here and apparently there was no love lost between the game wardens and the traffic cops here.As I crumpled up the ticket and climbed into my Jeep, I thought about what had brought me across the country. The memory of my last day in Florida came flooding back, bringing with it a mix of emotions I was still trying to sort through.I remembered the suffocating heat as I'd loaded the last of my boxes into the U-Haul. Aria had been there, helping me, her eyes red-rimmed from crying."You sure you don't want
XanderI stood on the ridge with Kane, my Beta, my closest advisor, and surveyed the landscape. I could breathe when up high over my pack lands watching the sun sinking toward the trees in the valley below, the stress of leadership melted away, if only for a few minutes."There, Dax's truck," Kane pointed to the small road at the head of the valley that led into our compound set deep into the National Forest. When we had arrived in the late 1800s, Bridger had been just acres and acres of wilderness. We had slowly purchased as much as we could, working as loggers and opening one of the few sawmills in the back country. When the government had bought up the land to create the National Forest, I had refused to sell, and we had been grandfathered in. Now we were surrounded by government forest. The forest service kept the area pristine, and left us alone for the most part, so I couldn't complain. It gave us plenty of room and privacy to run - two of the main things I required to keep my p
ViviI was surprised at how disappointed I had been to not hear back from Sage about getting my hair braided before I had to return to the forest to work, though, in all honesty, there hadn't been that much time. I had to leave the next morning. I didn't often think that much about my appearance, but something about the intricate braiding had called to me.As I stood there, fingers absently combing through the ends of my ponytail, I couldn't help but wonder why I suddenly cared so much about how I looked. Was it because of him? The brother? Dax she had called him. The name sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. I shook my head, trying to clear the image of his piercing eyes and impressive tattoos from my mind.It was strange, really. I hadn't thought much about the man at first, other than how he had interacted with Sage. He'd just been part of an interesting interaction, albeit an intimidating one. But then, as I was leaving, something happened that I couldn't quite explain.I was
Xander"Brother!" I raised my head at my Sage's call. I had been going over the never-ending paperwork that went along with managing our foundation and investments. I welcomed any distraction I could get."What's happening, baby sister?" I laced my hands behind my head and stretched as she came running through my study door."I was down near Four Corners and there's a woman camped there. The woman." I raised my eyebrows in question. "The one from town, Vivi Fenrir. I never dreamed she'd come so close to our property. What do you want to do?"My posture instantly shifted. Every muscle in my body tensed at the thought of her being so close. The woman called Fenrir Sage had mentioned earlier. Surely it couldn't be a coincidence."I've got to speak to Kane." I tried to quench the lick of hope that flared in my chest. I kissed Sage on the top of her head as I ducked out of the room. "Thank you, sister."Quickly finding my second, Kane and I shifted and set off to check out this woman my si
I gazed through the trees at the woman emerging from her tent. She was tall and voluptuous, with long, shapely legs that seemed to go on forever. The sleeping shorts she wore clung to her hips and ass, hugging her curves in all the right places. A pair of thick, woolen socks covered her calves, the bright colors a cheerful contrast to the muted tones of the forest.Her top was thin and long-sleeved, but it did little to conceal her full, bountiful breasts. I could see her nipples straining against the fabric, hard peaks that begged to be touched, tasted. A light dusting of freckles trailed across her shoulders and down her arms, a tantalizing roadmap I longed to explore with my tongue.She was breathtaking. Exquisite. The most beautiful creature I had ever laid eyes on. And the scent...gods, the scent. It wrapped around me like a warm embrace, soothing the beast that raged within me even as it stoked the fires of my desire.Beside me, Kane let out a low, needy whine. I could feel his
Vivi I shuddered as Xander's fingers trailed down my throat, his touch searing my skin even through the thin fabric of my top. My body arched into his, craving more, needing more. I could feel the heat building between my legs, the ache growing with every passing second.Behind me, Kane pressed closer, his body a wall of solid muscle and warmth. His hands gripped my hips, holding me steady as Xander explored my curves with a reverent touch."This is crazy," I breathed, but even as I said it, I knew it was true and false at the same time. Something had come over me with the arrival of these two men out of the dark woods. I didn't know exactly what was happening but I couldn't seem to feel anything but need, want, and safety as strange hands, teeth and lips played over my body. Somehow I felt deep in my soul that this was meant to be. These two beings were what had been missing in my life. These two magnificent men, these powerful wolves, had been created just for me.Xander's lips fou
Kane The sight of Vivian coming apart beneath our touch was the most erotic thing I had ever witnessed. Her body arched off the ground, her back bowing as wave after wave of pleasure crashed over her. She was exquisite, a goddess in the throes of ecstasy, and she was ours.As she slowly came down from her high, her body going limp and pliant beneath us, I felt a surge of possessiveness, a primal need to claim her, to make her ours in every way possible.With only a glance at Xander, he seemed to understand what I needed. We shifted positions, with my moving to lie between our mate's supple, spread thighs while he moved up her body licking and sucking until he reached her sweet mouth. The scent of her arousal filled my nostrils, heady and intoxicating and I couldn't resist a long, slow lick from her entrance to her apex. I growled as her flavor burst on my tongue. I could feel my cock throbbing, aching to be inside her, to feel her tight heat surrounding me.But not yet. First, I wa
The scent of burning sage lingered in the air, mingling with the faint musk of leather and old parchment. Inside the library, Kelda carefully turned the brittle pages of an ancient tome, her fingers tracing the faint Norse etchings. The firelight from the hearth flickered against the towering bookshelves, casting moving shadows across the worn wooden floor.“It’s here,” Kelda murmured at last, her voice carrying an almost reverent tone. Her silver-blue eyes glinted as she leaned closer to the text, examining the runes etched into the faded vellum. “The Starfire bond... it’s older than we even imagined.”Across the oak table, Liza looked up sharply, her pen poised halfway through a line in her leather-bound journal. She adjusted her glasses and scooted her chair closer, her curiosity palpable.“What does it say?” Liza asked, her voice imbued with a mix of scholarly interest and trepidation.Kelda exhaled, scanning the runes again to be certain of her translation. “It’s not just any bon
Dax released the taller man roughly, his expression a mixture of triumph and grim satisfaction. "Well, there it is," he said darkly. "The Broker. Exactly what I thought."Gunnar folded his arms, his eyes narrowed as he studied the hunters. "The Broker’s involved. Now we’re getting somewhere."Xander entered then, his white braid streaked with blood, his presence commanding as ever. His ice-blue gaze settled on the hunters, and a cold smile curled his lips. "Good," he said, his voice smooth but deadly. "Because now we have names to go with the bodies."At the name, the shorter hunter flinched. Dax caught it instantly, his sharp eyes narrowing."There’s a nerve," he said, his voice dropping dangerously as he moved to stand behind the second man. "The Broker. Who is he? What does he want?"The hunter said nothing, his lips pressed tightly together, but the thinning of his resolve was visible in the way his body trembled. Gunnar, ever-watchful, picked up on it too. He leaned forward, his
The secured cabin at the edge of the compound felt suffocating. The air was heavy, thick with tension and the acrid scent of sweat and blood. Gunnar stood with his arms crossed, his massive frame casting an imposing shadow over the two captured hunters. Behind him, Dax paced like a wildcat, his frustration palpable with every step.The hunters sat shackled to their chairs, the enchanted chains faintly glowing as they suppressed any attempt to resist. They were bloodied from the fight but defiant, their eyes blazing with misplaced righteousness.Dax lunged toward the taller hunter, his voice a low snarl. "You’re going to tell us what we want to know." His fists clenched at his sides, itching to make good on his promise. "Who sent you? Who’s ‘The Broker’?"The hunter looked up, his gaze sharp and unyielding, his lip curling into a sneer. "I don’t answer to animals."The room seemed to hold its breath at his words. It was like tossing a lit match into a room full of gasoline fumes. Dax’s
The door burst open with a deafening crash, and the first hunter stepped inside. His black armor gleamed in the dim light, and the silver-tipped spear in his hands practically hummed with malevolent energy. He didn’t hesitate, lunging toward Lexa with deadly precision.But I was faster.The Starfire surged through me, a burst of golden light exploding from the staff’s crystal tip. The hunter staggered back, his spear clattering to the ground as the energy scorched his chest armor.Lexa gasped, her silver markings flaring brightly. She raised her hands, and a wave of silvery light shot from her palms, slamming into the second hunter who had just entered the room. He toppled backward, crashing into the doorframe."Nice shot," I said breathlessly, a faint grin tugging at my lips despite the situation."Thanks," Lexa replied, her voice still shaking but steadier than before. "You, too."Before the third hunter could enter, an enormous black wolf barreled through the doorway, taking the man
The morning mist clung to the compound like a second skin, heavy and pregnant with the kind of stillness that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. From the window of the common area, the dense forest surrounding us glimmered faintly under the pale light of dawn. Ordinarily, I’d find the view relaxing, but today, unease wrinkled the edges of my thoughts like a persistent shadow.Something felt off."Where’s Lexa?" I asked, glancing around the compound’s main room. Her usual spot—curled up in a chair with a blanket—was vacant, only the faintest scent of her jasmine and pine lingering in the air.Xander strode into the room, his movements sharp and purposeful. His piercing blue eyes scanned the area, narrowing slightly. "She went to Kelda’s workshop earlier for more training," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Kane is with her. They’re safe."Safe. The word should have reassured me, but the unease threading through my chest didn’t loosen. Instead, a low buzzing sensation p
"Lexa needs rest too," I mumbled, fighting to keep my eyes open as I watched Kane move to support the younger wolf."I'll make sure she gets to her room safely," Kane assured me, his arm steady around Lexa's shoulders. I noticed how Dax's eyes followed them, concern evident in his expression. The bond between Kane and Dax had grown stronger, more intimate, and it warmed my heart to see their growing connection."Tomorrow we'll continue," Liza called after us, her voice eager despite her obvious fatigue. "There's so much more to explore in these texts! The connection you've formed... it could be the key to understanding everything!"Xander carried me back to our rooms, my head resting against his chest. I could hear his heart beating, strong and steady, grounding me as the lastof today's power faded. The corridors passed in a blur of warm wood and soft lamplight.The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the vast windows, casting a silvery sheen over the bedroom. Xander carried
A chill, sharper than any winter wind, traveled down my spine. The room fell deathly silent as her words hung heavy in the air, the weight of an unspoken truth pressing down on all of us."We're not letting that happen," Xander said firmly, his voice breaking the tense silence. The Alpha aura in his tone left no room for argument, but I felt his fear through our bond—not of me, but for me. "Whatever this is, whatever they think they've seen... we'll find a way to control it. To protect everyone. Vivi isn't alone in this."His gaze met mine, searing through any lingering self-doubts like the fiercest of vows. Behind him, Kane and Dax moved closer, their presence steady and reassuring."We'll control it," Kane echoed, his hand warm on my shoulder. "The prophecy is a guide, not a sentence. You shape your own destiny, Vivi."Dax unfolded himself from where he leaned against the wall, his dark eyes stormy but resolute. "And if anyone—even these hunters—thinks they can get through us to you
The compound was eerily silent as we waited, breath held collectively, for the Shadow Pack survivors to emerge from the woods. I stood flanked by Xander, Kane, and Dax, their protective presence a comforting wall around me. Yet even as their mate bond pulsed steady and sure through my chest, an undercurrent of unease crept through me. Something was wrong. I could feel it, like crackling static in the air before a thunderstorm."They're here," Sage announced, her voice tinged with both relief and caution. She stood at the gates, her sharp eyes scanning the treeline. I noted the tension in her stance, the subtle way her hand rested near the knife at her belt.When the Pack finally emerged, my breath caught. The small group of survivors carried the weight of devastation upon their shoulders. Their clothes were tattered, their bodies bruised, and their eyes haunted. They moved as if each step took a Herculean effort.At the center of them was a girl, no older than sixteen, supported on ei
ViviThe next few weeks were a blur of training, research, and intense bonding with my mates. Liza and Kelda continued to delve into the ancient texts, searching for any clues about the Fenris line and the symbols on the blanket I had been left with as a baby."It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack," Liza sighed one afternoon, pushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. "There's so little information about the First Ones, and even less about the Fenris line.""But we're not giving up," Kelda assured her, her gaze determined. "We'll find answers, Vivi. We just need time. I'm searching for clues in my grimoires as well. Maybe there is a mention or to there."Meanwhile, I focused on learning to control my new abilities. Shifting was still a challenge, the pain still intense, but with each transformation, it became a little easier. Xander, Kane, and Dax were patient and encouraging, guiding me through the process, helping me to understand the instincts that were now a part o