~Laslo~ Last night was pure torture. This damn mate bond is hell. All night long I felt a pull to Nona. Every cell in my body, every ounce of blood, every hair follicle longed to be near Nona. My skin itches, begging to touch her, to brush up against her. I felt a chill in my body with something telling me that only the heat from Nona would make it go away. As much as I, Nero and I, want Zahara, thoughts of her weren't enough to erase the images of Nona. They couldn’t erase the raw need that was growing in me. I got up early this morning; got up while it was still dark outside. I thought maybe a run through the forest would help me forget, help me maintain my distance. I should have known this was not going to be that easy. Instead of the run helping to clear my mind, it brought me right where I didn’t want to be. I found myself in a pair of basketball shorts, sitting in Nona’s room just watching her sleep. Her scent encompassed me and sleep took over.✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
~Cory~ Zahara never came back last night and I’m not exactly sure what made her leave in the first place. I ended up finishing dinner on my own and having an early night. I had planned to put all of the clothes away that Zahara bought me, but when I got in the room, it was already done. I’d have to find out who it was and thank them. I decide to skip breakfast this morning. I don’t want to run into any issues like I did the last meal I had in the dining room. I will stop by the kitchen later and get myself some food. I head down to the pack hospital instead, having made an appointment the evening before. I took a pill this morning and I really need a refill. I get called in to see the doctor immediately. I sit, anxiously, on the bed in the room and wait for the doctor to arrive. A few minutes later a tall gentleman walks into the room wearing a white coat. He has to be about 6 feet tall, with salt and pepper hair that is tapered around the sides and a b
I make it to the hospital in no time. The entire trip, I kept trying to think of what the doctor would have to tell me. I keep coming up empty because Cory was just in the hospital and any issues would have been caught during his stay. Though I’m no doctor, I assume it must not be a medical issue. As soon as the receptionist sees me, she sends me into Kilgore’s office. I walk in and sit across from him. “Hello Alpha. I’m glad you were able to make the time to see me.” I nod in response. “You have made me worried. What is it that you need to tell me about Cory?” Kilgore takes a deep breath and runs a hand down his face. “Cory came to see me this morning and asked me if I could refill his prescription. He said he has been taking these pills for years because he dealt with anxiety and panic attacks that would make him pass out.” I’m lost because I fail to see how this could be troublesome. “The pill bottle had no label on it which is weird for a pr
~Nona~ I feel so dry. I’m sure it’s because of all of the crying. I know I cried for hours and it feels like I cried all the water out of my body. For the life of me, I would have never imagined that my mate would be the reason why I’m locked in this house. Not only am I locked in the house, but I’m chained to the foundation. Even if all of the doors and windows were open, I wouldn’t be able to make it out of the house with this chain attached to my ankle. I haven’t eaten; just sleeping and crying. I hate this damn mate bond. As hurt and disgusted as I am, I want Laslo here more than anything else. I want to run my fingers through his hair and feel his hands on my body. I want to feel his lips on mine. I keep dreaming about him inside of me and it drives me insane. I get disgusted feeling this way because Laslo doesn’t deserve me. How can he be okay with keeping his mate hostage? A mate is supposed to love and cherish you. They are supposed to put you above themse
~Cory~ I had an amazing morning. I spent it with Luna Amara and she is amazing. Zahara is very similar to her mother. I can see where she got her caring, nurturing nature. Zahara’s kindness led her to make friends with me when no one else would and I just know she got that from the Luna. Luna Amara took me on a tour around the pack and it was wonderful to see how her pack takes to her. Never have I seen Margaret loved like that. The pack respected her as their Luna, but it didn’t seem like many liked her, let alone loved her. Not too many members of the pack took an interest in me, but I’m okay with that. I wouldn’t know how to introduce myself anyway so I prefer to keep the questions away. The Luna and I had a picnic lunch in the garden and she told me many stories about her childhood. She also told me some great stories about Zahara as a child. I could almost see a young Zahara running around the pack grounds, enjoying life as a child. Spending time
~Cory~ I can’t even pinpoint the exact emotions that are running through me right now. It was already clear that I wasn’t really liked at my old pack. Those who were meant to be my ‘family’ just used me as a slave and a punching bag. I would have never imagined that someone also wanted me dead. What did I ever do to anyone for them to want to end my life? As crazy as that development is, I have a wolf. I HAVE A WOLF!!!! All of my life, I have felt useless and less than. I was brought up to believe that without a wolf, you have no real place in the pack. Wofllessness was so rare and those who did suffer from it, always suffered in silence. There is a wolf inside of me that will be free at some point and I don’t quite know how to deal with that. It isn’t a bad thing, but it is definitely unexpected. ~Zahara~ I head to my office after leaving Cory’s room. Mom has allowed me to use her Luna office as my own until I officially take over for my father. I ha
~Cory~ I can feel the brightness behind my eyes. It kind of hurts, but it’s also warm. I open my eyes to the bright sun. I turn to lay on my back and I stretch big; all of my muscles. I don’t remember falling asleep, still wearing the same clothes. I remember talking to Zahara and her telling me that my pack, my family, has been trying to kill me for years. The pain from learning that truth still lingers within me, but I don’t want to dwell on it. I don’t want to let it consume me. For the first time, I feel as if I have a second chance at life and I don’t want to lose that. I get out of bed and head to the bathroom to take a shower. I wonder how Zahara is feeling. I had hoped to speak to her again yesterday, but I guess my emotions overwhelmed me. I get in the shower, the hot water running over me. The thought of Zahara lingers in my mind. Her light brown eyes keep popping into my mind along with her thick, pink lips. I have never been with a woman nor have I had
~Cory~ I was ecstatic when Zahara walked into the dining room for breakfast. I wasn’t sure I would see her this morning. I had to remember that I was talking to her mother when she walked in. She is stunning and she had me questioning my existence. Zahara walks in with her braids in a low bun, tight blue jeans, a red halter top, red converse. The jeans cup her ass perfectly and her top hugs her chest. I can feel myself getting hard and I didn’t want to be found out. Zahara sits next to me and I place my hand on top of hers, drawing small circles on the back. I can feel small tingles, but I wonder if the feeling will become stronger as the wolfsbane leaves my system. The idea of gaining my wolf is exciting and scary at the same time. I hope he isn’t disappointed in being tied to a human like me. I know that getting my wolf will put me on level with Zahara and the others and I’m looking forward to that. Zahara is paying close attention to the food on her
~Third Person~ Four months have passed quickly, and so much has happened. The Wild Tail pack quickly got over the loss of their known leaders. Everyone wasn’t on board with Cory as Alpha, but no one felt strongly enough to voice their opposition. Cory and Zahara made some changes to how the pack treated others as well as how they went about daily life. Cory’s hope was to have everyone feel welcomed and everyone works together to keep the pack going. Even pack members who are against Cory can’t deny the benefits he was bringing to the pack. Cory and Zahara officially take over the Ash Band pack as well. Things continue to go smoothly there as they had before. Flora decided to stay at the Ash Band pack, there being too many negative memories back home. Flora and Maurice found a few common interests and are rarely without each other. The elders took Frankie because of his crimes against his Alphas. Len and Justin were given the opportunity to do better and o
~Zahara~ Elder Langston had his people take away Margaret and Gunner. He had them get rid of Laslo’s body. There were some wet eyes among the members and a lot of distrusting looks thrown toward Cory. I understand that years-long misinformation can’t be fixed in a matter of minutes, but at some point, they will have to let certain things go. I stay near the stage in case anyone had any questions, but no one is approaching me. Cory is off speaking with Elder Langston while his people take care of the cleanup. This entire situation has been crazy but necessary in the end. There is no way that Cory and I could enjoy our future with any of this hanging over our heads. I hate that Cory had to lose so much, but I will be sure to try to make up for it for the rest of our lives. I notice Lennox sitting in a chair, leaning back, looking up at the sky. He has been quiet since we returned, and I’m not sure what’s going on. I should probably talk to him, but before I
~Cory~ I have to say, as surprised as I am, I'm ecstatic for Cyrus. He is a good guy and has always tried his hardest to do right by my dad and me. I'm glad that he finally gets to have his happiness. As great as all that is, it's time to face the crowd. Zahara and I walk outside so we can address the pack. They were told to meet for an announcement, and it seems that everyone has gathered. It's hard to look out into the crowd. I have known everyone here for some time, and they haven't been the best to me. Some of the pack has treated me indifferently, not really doing anything against me or helping me. Others got their jollies from treating me horribly, and I will never forget that. Zahara and I stand off to the side, surveying the group. Lennox and Elder Langston are standing on the small stage that was put up for this. We are in the back of the packhouse, where there is way more space to fit all of the pack members. We watch Bryn and Cyrus walk by, wea
~Zahara~ Cory is so much stronger than he realizes. He keeps getting thrown curve balls, but he rises above and makes it out the other side. I’m not sure how I would have handled all that Cory has had to deal with. We sorted through the presented evidence, which is all compelling. Elder Langston has gone through it and has alerted the other elders. Everyone now knows what happened to former Alpha Brian Williams, and it’s tragic, to say the least. He picked a woman who he felt would make a good chosen mate. He accepted her son and treated him as his own. The minute he brought in his own son, there was an issue, though. From the information we gathered, it looks like they decided to end the Alpha’s life because of Cory because Cory exists. His existence is a reminder that the Alpha created a child with someone else. The thing about it is that he met his fated mate. The fact that they didn’t immediately choose each other is a testament to his loyalty and se
~Cory~ I’m so so tempted to end him right here and right now. Laslo is passed out, and it would take nothing for me to snap his neck this way or even rip his throat out. A hand into his chest, going for the heart, would work as well. Something in me is telling me that isn’t the way to go, that I need to be better about this. I let Laslo drop to the floor and get some warriors to fit him with silver chains so he can be transported back. Nona is still holding onto my mate, and it's a bit troublesome. I want nothing more than to rip her from Nona and truly show her how much I missed her. It is a struggle to hold myself back at this moment, but I really don’t have much choice. “What are you going to do with him?” Nona is using a whispered voice. A part of me doesn’t understand why she should care, but then again, it makes sense. They were fated mates, and that is something hard to turn off. Yes, they rejected each other, but those feelings can still linger to
~Cory~ Laslo came at me quickly, throwing his fist at my face, but I was able to dodge it. That didn’t deter him, as he threw an elbow back and was able to connect with my ear. We kept going like this; Laslo coming at me and me dodging his attacks. Laslo quickly became angered and shifted into his wolf. I spent some time fighting his wolf in human form, and that seemed to anger him even more. I have never been in a position to fight back or to defend myself before, Laslo always having an advantage over me. Now I know who I was always meant to be, and that isn’t someone who is supposed to be a punching bag. Once I shift into my wolf, things get more interesting. Laslo is coming at me again and again while I try my hardest to cut him off. I want to end him, but I don’t want it to be quick. There is no enjoyment if he isn’t able to fight back a bit. Laslo is fighting back. He continues to swipe at me, and each connection is a new sting. I can feel
~Zahara~ Laslo left the room quickly, and that propelled me to try to get out of these restraints. I have to get myself free before Laslo comes back, or I’m sure that he will try to finish what he started. I don’t know how long he’ll be gone, so time is of the essence. I twist and pull, trying my hardest to loosen up the ropes around my wrists. These ropes seem to be expertly tied. The ropes are as tight as when I first got there. Damn, I wish I had Aria right now. I could be out of this quickly by just extending a claw and slashing the ropes. I shake that thought out of my head and focus on the task at hand. The hallways are filled with the sounds of people crying and screaming. I want to know who’s attacking. Maybe it’s actually my pack; if it is, I know I will be out of here soon. If it isn’t my pack, I need to get free, so I can defend myself if needed, but these damn ropes won’t budge. GRRRRRRR! I can hear screams, ‘stop
~Laslo ~ “We’re under attack.” “FROM WHO?!” I growl out, shaking the cave and causing dust and pebbles to rain on our heads. “I…..I….I’m nnn…nnot sssssssure.” Pathetic! I push past the weak wolf with the intent of seeing what the hell is going on. I turn to Zahara, seeing her bent at the waist and breathing heavily. “We will finish this later.” I head down the hall and watch people running back and forth in front of me. I have no idea who is attacking, but I plan to find out. “Laslo!” I see my mom at the cave entrance, and she looks distraught. “What the hell is going on, mom?” She looks outside the cave, at me, and back again. “It’s Ash Band. They found us.” I growl ferociously, and those around me still look fearful. “Take care of Nona and Zahara. I will handle this; it won’t take long.” I can’t believe that weak fucker actually found me and came out here. What did he expect would happen if we met
Time went by fast but slowly at the same time. I tried to sleep and eat, but the anxiety of what's to come took over. I'm beyond ready to start this because I will have my mate back when it's over. I will be able to breathe again once I get my mate back. I head downstairs and out the door to meet with everyone else. Lennox is waiting for me with Elder Langston, Beta Cyrus, and a bunch of our warriors. We have a plan and are ready to go with it. It will take us about 45 minutes to get to the area of caves. We plan to travel in three groups and come from different angles. The plan is to take the site with as little bloodshed as possible. The only blood I want spilling is Laslo's, and I want to take care of it myself. We divide into groups, and half of us in each group shift into our wolves. The rest of us get on all-terrain vehicles to back us up. They will stop a bit away from the area and pick up anyone who tries to flee. We start to run, and I