In 1890, my great-grandmother Takoda was only a child when her ancestors told her stories while they huddled around the campfire with handmade blankets from buffalo hide. Later, she told my mother the same stories about humans who could walk on all fours and pale skins and drink your blood. Nowadays, no one talks about the past, which leads us to believe they are just scary stories the tribe elders tell for fun or to put fear into the youngsters so we won’t enter the woods outside our borders. However, I believe nothing they say. But my grandmother does and never lets my family forget it. I usually get grounded for laughing at her, thinking she’s a crazy old woman.The story of my great-grandfather is one that my grandmother sears into our brains. He was killed by ‘the creatures’ while saving our tribe. She says the Alpha of the pack helped him escape the blood-sucking leeches after being attacked in the woods, leaving him wounded too severely to make it out on his own. But I never un
The intensity finally dissipates and soon fades completely. I hesitate and keep my head covered with my forearms while my knees are against my chest before slowly glancing around, thinking it may not be over. Earthquakes don’t happen in Blackfoot. Either it pissed the earth off about how shitty humans treat it, or something else is happening.Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Mr. Granbury is the first to move, looking for hurt students. “Everyone, we need to move outside as quickly as possible,” he announces as he climbs over fallen bookshelves and broken ceiling particles, helping students out of the debris.Several bloody classmates whine in pain as the teacher crosses the room, removing the bricks and drywall from them. The fire department rushes in, grabs the wounded, and ushers the rest outside to safety. They escort those with no injuries into the hall, where the gym is now a giant sinkhole.Firefighters and police scurry around, taking the injured towards waiting ambulances
The legends are true. Both night stalkers and fangs are very much real, and I’m standing between the two.How could I be so oblivious to it? Always scoffing at my grandmother’s stories. Maybe this is my punishment for being a brat and not listening.There is nowhere for me to go. The only choice I have is to decide if I want to die by the night stalkers or the fangs. I think I’ll take my chances with the wolves. They seem like they’d give me a quick death. The bloodsuckers would probably keep me around for feedings, letting me die slowly and painfully.There’s no more time for thinking. So, I make a choice and run towards the wolves.The larger of the wolves tilts his head, confused.He must think, what a dumbass.I'm going to die anyway. Why should I care what everyone thinks of me? I never did before. It's not like anyone likes me anyway. I can see it now - the whole reservation celebrating my death. A crowd of my peers cheering and clinking their glasses of beer, happy that they ar
The Alpha rushes at me, grabs me by the throat, and slams me against the wall. Particleboard and dust stir around me. “Don’t tempt me,” He snarls between clenched teeth.I get to him, and for some odd reason, him holding me against the wall with one hand has me feeling some type of way.Damn, does this fucktard turn me on? No way! Maybe I like it rough.Oh lord, I’m a freak.The warmth of his hand around my neck, his bulging biceps as he holds my back against the wall, sends tingles surging down to my intimate parts.I’ve only masturbated once but never really thought about sex since, but my mind is clouded with it now.Not the time Sakari. I yell at myself.He finally let me down, and my lungs greedily take in the air they so desperately needed.“Never test me,” he says sternly, then pulls me by the wrist, dragging me towards the back of the house.I try breaking free of his grip, but there’s no use. “Where are you taking me?” I ask frantically.He laughs wolfishly. “You humans are s
Ice cold water hits my body like a ton of bricks. “Ah!” I shriek awake, darting my eyes from side to side.As I sit up, there stands the bitch from hell with a bucket and a pleased smirk on her face. Slapping that look off her face would really make me happy right now, but I refrain.I send her an icy glare, wrapping my arms around my shoulders as I shiver. “You could have just said wake up,” I mumble between chattering teeth.Sia smiles wider. “Now, what’s the fun in that?” She laughs as she leaves the room, and her annoying cackle echoes down the hall.So, what the hell did she even wake me up for if she was just going to leave? What a bitch!In walks Alpha Cree and narrows his eyes, confused. “Why are you wet?” He asks, looking around for where the water came from.Irritated, I give him a deadpan look. “Ask your lover,” I reply, ringing my dirty drench sweater out.Instantly, his eyes burn red. Cree is furious, which confuses the hell out of me. I’m a measly human. Why does he care
I ignore jay completely and nod in agreement. “Yes, anything.”Alpha Cree turns to his pack, holding jay by his arms. “Take him to the border and let him fend for himself,” He orders, and they jump at his request.“Wait! That wasn’t the agreement. They will kill him if you throw him back over the border,” I argue, my foot stomping against the floorboards below me.“You said I could have anything if I don’t kill your boy toy here.” Cree grips my face between his long fingers, smirking proudly that he’s in control.“That is such an asshole move,” I snap back, yanking my chin free from his grasp and crossing my arms over my chest.Cree leans down, his face inches from mine. “I still get what I want, so call me whatever you want.” He winks, then walks away proudly.Fucking Alpha is like a lousy bag of sour patch kids, even sourer than you expect. Worse than a woman going through menopause. Vicious mood swings. You’d think he’s the one that’s got a damn period.A pack member yanks Jay from
The cheese puffs hit the floor, and I slowly chew the remaining bits in my mouth. I’m annoyed my puffs are all over the floor. I had dreams about them, and I finally had a taste. The world feels as if it’s crumbling as I watch the last Cheeto skid to a stop at Cree’s feet. I seriously thought about grabbing it. I mean, there is a five-second rule. But I’m worried that he might strangle me for hitting him where the sun doesn’t shine if I go near him. So I refrain from listening to my grumbling stomach and focus on Cree’s aggravated expression.I give him an encouraging smile. “Nice to see you again,” I joke with a sweet, innocent expression, hoping to lighten the tension between us.Cree stands from the sofa, and I gulp. He slowly comes my way, as if he is building up a climactic death for me. If he wants me terrified, it’s working. My body moves involuntarily back towards the kitchen. I don’t know what to do. There is nowhere for me to go. I look behind me at the window. Maybe I can j
Why do they care about our people? They are ruthless killers, just like the fangs.“You just threatened to kill my best friend? Why do you care about my people suddenly?” I ask, interested in what their motives really are.Cree faces me. “Yeah, pretty much, but there is an exception.”“Who is special enough to be safe from death?” I ask, wondering if my family is part of that exception. Maybe that’s why he hasn’t killed me.The man looks at me like I’m dumb, then glances at Cree with a side-eye. “She doesn’t know?” his brow lifts.Baffled, I butt in. “Um, know what?” I press, wanting to be included in whatever they knew, and I didn’t.Cree darts his eyes back and forth between us. “Nothing.” then he walks past the man but stops in the doorway. “Bring the girl,” Cree adds over his shoulder and exits without glancing back at me.Great, here we go again. Sakari, the prisoner. I roll my eyes, sighing, and drag my feet towards the front when the man grabs at my arm, and I swiftly jerk it a
Alpha Cree POV My beta and Sway support me as we enter the pack house. Sia is assisting Sakari, who looks completely drained and can barely keep her eyes open. I know I need to remove the silver from my body to recover, but my primary concern is for Sakari's health and safety.We make our way through the foyer and enter the living room. Sakari strides ahead, passing by the others to come stand beside me as I sink into the comfortable cushions of the sofa. My eyes narrow in concern when I notice her unsteady swaying as she approaches me. Ignoring my own discomfort, I quickly stand up to catch her as she faints in my arms.I gently shake Sakari's limp body, trying to wake her. To my horror, I see blood seeping from a wound between her shoulder blade and chest. "Oh no," I curse under my breath. "Sia, go get the medicine man," I quickly order, sending her running while I pick up Sakari in my arms and carry her up the stairs to safety.“Alpha Cree?” My beta calls to me from behind. “Do yo
The crumbling building offers a slim chance of escape, but I have no other choice. Panic sets in as I feel the weight of the ceiling collapsing above me. With adrenaline pumping through my veins, I push past the searing pain of my wound and stumble off the bed. The ground beneath me trembles with aftershocks from the explosion, making it difficult to maintain my balance. In a desperate attempt to stand, I slam into the wall, jarring my already injured shoulder. Every second counts as I struggle to flee from the chaos and destruction surrounding me.A strangled cry escapes my lips as I feel a sharp, searing pain shoot through my body. My hand instinctively flies to the source of the pain and comes away sticky with blood. But I can't focus on it for long, not when I see Jay and my mother standing up from where they were knocked down. I can't let them catch me, not now. I have to find Cree and make sure he is still alive, despite the odds stacked against us. My heart clenches at the thoug
I slowly open my eyes, unsure of where I am. My mind is spinning as I take in the unfamiliar surroundings of the dark room. The only thought running through my head is Cree and the bullet that was headed straight for me before everything went black.“Cree?!” I gasp and squeal in pain.I instinctively grab my chest, glancing down at the bandage covering the bloody wound where my shirt used to be.I question myself, as if there might be a mystical response floating in the air, "Am I still alive?"The silence that greets my question is deafening, mocking. I strain my ears, desperate for any sign of life, but all I hear is the ragged sound of my own breathing. My heart pounds in my chest, each beat a painful reminder that I am, indeed, still alive. But at what cost?I try to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washes over me, forcing me back down onto the cold, hard surface beneath me. The room spins, and I close my eyes, fighting the nausea that threatens to overwhelm me. When I open them ag
I flee the pack house, anger and hurt propelling me into the forest. My fight with Cree replays in my mind, each harsh word a fresh wound. I storm through the trees, not caring where my feet take me, only that I need to find my family. The dense forest closes in around me, the many paths now a confusing tangle. Hours pass and the sky darkens, a cold realization settling in my chest. I am lost, like always.A chill wind whips through the trees, carrying whispers of approaching danger. The forest grows unnaturally still, as if holding its breath. Shadows lengthen and twist, taking on grotesque shapes in the fading light. An owl's mournful hoot echoes in the distance, a warning cry.My skin prickles with goosebumps as an eerie fog creeps along the forest floor, tendrils of mist curling around my ankles. The scent of decay and something ancient fills my nostrils. I spin around, suddenly certain I'm being watched by unseen eyes.A twig snaps nearby and I freeze, heart pounding. The sound o
Per my usual miss smarty pants makes an appearance. “So, want to play twister?” I smile sweetly. I’m not referring to the game. “Oh, does the big bad wolf just like to watch?” I tease. I’m doing all I can to press his buttons. Getting him mad is my pleasure.Cree stands there, consumed with anger. “Stop playing with me, child,” He sneers as his hand clasps around my throat just as I want it to, crave it too.Moving my face closer to his lips, I look into his eyes through my lashes, then whisper. “Or what?” I provoke. Not sure why I enjoy making Cree angry, but it’s something I live for now. The way he’s possessive makes me feel special, and for once in my life, I didn’t feel like an outsider. I finally feel like the only person in the room, and it's a feeling I never want to let go of. Cree towers over me, his eyes burning with intensity and his grip on my throat tightening. All I can do is look up at him, my heart racing, adrenaline pumping. I can feel my own desire mirroring his, fu
“Huh?” I stutter. He can’t be serious.Cree’s gaze moved up to my eyes. “I want you to touch yourself. I want to hear you when you come.”Why the hell am I seriously contemplating doing this? Have I gone completely mad?They perk up at his warmth when I press my breast against his pecks. I’m going out of my mind here. I want to resist, but I lift my leg on the side of the shower, giving myself better access to my center and as we gaze into each other’s eyes, I slip my middle finger between my folds and gasp at the friction. My mouth parts slightly as moans escape. Cree’s eyes burst into flames with lust. I can see he is fighting everything in him not to intervene.I want every part of him, and that pisses me off, but I can’t stop what came from my mouth next. “You want me to cum for you? Well, I want you to do the same for me then,” I whispered as I slipped another finger inside, and I whimper, thrusting my palm against my pussy, taking them deep inside my sweet center. For a virgin,
The mattress squeaks as I toss and turn while the words of Cree circulate in my head. I roll on my side and slip my hands beneath my head as I stare at the small window. I watch the moon slowly cross the midnight sky, sending the lines from the shadow of the bars on the window across the hardwood that ensure I don’t escape.The floor above me creaks. I swallow, thinking Cree could return and torment me again. It makes me feel icky. Last night he was so caring and protective, and it’s like a switch flipped, and he is an entirely different person. Or should I say wolf? I don’t know what I was thinking. He’s a werewolf; he’s only toying with me until he’s ready to kill me.I push the thoughts aside, glance back out the tiny window, and sigh. I want to find my brother and get us as far from this place as possible. Cree made me feel worthless. How could he just walk away? He can’t say he didn’t like it because his erection says otherwise. Ugh, Sakari, he’s an asshole. Stop thinking about h
We stare into each other’s eyes for what seems like an eternity. My hand reaches up to run my fingers across Cree’s stumbled jawline. I lick my lips as my eyes search his. Did I miss him? Or am I just happy to have escaped Azrael’s rapist hands?Shit, he’s probably coming for me.Cree slips his hand in my hair, cupping my cheek. His thick lips were close enough to suck, nibble, and devour. It takes all my strength not to do it.Cree’s dark chocolate eyes look past me, and when I turn there, Azrael stands regretfully. He’s contemplating running back the other way.My heart leaps from my chest cavity and ran as far from this monster, but the rest of me is stuck in place. When I try to run, Cree catches my arm and places me behind him.Cree tilts his head from side to side. His neck pops, then cracks his knuckles and stalks toward Azrael. “I’m confused why you thought it was a bright idea to take Sakari,” Cree sneers, the corner of his mouth displaying his sharp canine.Azrael backs away
Trees fly by as I beat my fist against the bloodsuckers' back. “Let me go, you zombie fuck!” Geez, how many more men are going to kidnap me? This is getting out of hand. The asshole stops, and I almost fly over his shoulder. He grabs at my waist but misses and grips a handful of my ass. My eyes widen. “Wow, dickhead!” I snap.He tosses me down on the ground. “Fine, fall on your ass,” the vamp hisses.I hit the ground with a thud and my elbow scraps against a rock. “Ow, asshole!” I shrill, as pain shoots up my arm. When I retract my hand from my elbow, my fingers reveal blood, and I swallow as I look up at fuckface, who drinks the shit for food. “Holy shit, it’s you,” I mutter, realizing it’s the sarcastic vamp boy.“The names Azrael,” he announces, huffy like I can read minds, and I should already know that.“Okay, Azrael, why the hell did you kidnap me?” I ask smartly.“Were you not already a hostage?”“That’s not the point, vamp,” I retort and get to my feet, holding my elbow. “Poin