A few of you have asked me about the new story for the Iron River pack and I had this idea this evening and decided to write a chapter.
I would love to hear your opinions. This is just a draft and I haven't figured out most of the story.
anyway, here it is...
Nivia’s pov
“You…” He growled lowly.
I did not want to turn around, recognizing the voice of the person I had grown to hate over the past few months.
The whole evening I had searched for this delicious scent of burned wood and marshmallow. It’s a scent that isn’t just delicious, but there are memories tied to it. Memories of having smores with my great grandparents and my grandparents.
Memories of them sharing laughs and drinks around the fireplaces while I listened to their stories.
My favorites were the love stories, and second came the ones of war.
While war isn’t something to celebrate, they told their stories in such a way that made the fighting almost sound romantic. They weren’t just fighting to protect themselves, but those they loved.
I had the privilege of never having personally witnessed a war.
My parents had made alliances and deals to make sure our kind wasn’t destroying each other over different world views or territory disclaims.
It wasn’t always easy, and there were always packs around that would rather march to their own drum then join our alliance, but as long as they kept out of their way and didn’t cause any issues, we all would be fine.
One pack in particular was causing issues, and mom thought I would be the right person to handle things. She thought I possessed more tact than her or my dad. Or maybe it’s just that I’m the only member of our family that doesn’t use the word fuck multiple times per sentence.
I sometimes wonder if Grandpa Cy, Grandma Leia, dad, and mom have a secret competition among the four of them to see who can say the most curse words in one go.
But I think mom really picked me to prepare me for my future job as Alpha of the Iron River Pack. Unfortunately, being an alpha means you have to endure meeting with other alphas, some of whom might get on your nerves.
The meetings I have had were real tests of patience and composure.
“Miss Omari.” His British accent would have sounded sexy coming from anyone but him. “Please, turn around.”
I had asked him repeatedly to call me by my first name, but he refused at every turn.
Alpha Dashwood is what I was forced to call him. I wasn’t even allowed to call him Alpha Rutherford. No, instead I had to call him by his last name.
Grandma Lily chuckled when I mentioned his name, as it reminded her of a novel she used to read.
I’ve come to call him Asswood in my head, which isn’t very mature, but at least I’m not saying it out loud like my parents probably would.
"Turn around," my wolf, Snow, urged me on. But I knew that if I did, everything would change.
Alpha Dashwood did not wait for me to decide to turn around or keep facing the opposite direction; instead, his hand landed on my bare arm, turning me around to face him.
Sparks traveled across my skin, but I ignored them.
I knew I should have skipped this party. I should have gone with my brother Forrest to see Grandpa Cy instead of dressing up and mingling with the alphas and betas Mom had invited.
I don’t belong amongst these people. Not yet. I’m only training to become an alpha. I don’t even know if I’ll be any good at it. What if I can’t live up to my mom?
“Will you bloody look at me?!” Alpha Asswood growled at me. It used to please me when I heard him curse; it meant I had gotten under his skin as much as he had gotten under mine. It meant I had broken through his wall of ice.
I could hear Snow saying something to me, but I didn’t want to hear it. It could not be real. I always pictured this moment. We’d see each other and have this instant connection. It would be love at first sight. A simple love story, without all the drama.
My eyes went up to his. The eyes I had seen countless times across the screen of our computers. His sharp nose and square jawline I had grown to despise. He might be handsome to some, but his character made it impossible for me to see him as anything other than ugly.
His eyes were dark, like his soul probably is.
‘Mate.’ Snow said inside my head, but I refused to utter the words out loud.
It can’t be him. No.
He’s old. He has kids. A pack. He’s an asshole!
He can’t be mine.
It’s not right.
“You’re my mate.” He said it so matter-of-factly, with no emotion in his words, what so ever. Except maybe some disappointment.
I wish I would have acted like a grownup. Or that I would have had the guts to reject Asswood. But instead I ran.
My shoes slipped off my feet as I ran out of the party. As soon as I felt gras under my feet, I shifted through my fancy ballgown.
Grandma Leia had helped me pick it out; it was blue to match the color of my eyes with a deep neckline to show off some of my cleavage. I’m not as curvy as some in my family, but this dress showed off just the right places.
I had been agitated all day. I thought it was just annoyance that I would finally meet my arch nemesis. But no. I was meeting my mate.
My fucking mate!
Snow took over, running through the woods to the river. The sound of the river always calms me down, but I doubt it will have any effect on my nerves now.
‘You okay, Niv? You scared the shit out of mom and me, but mom said to let you be. But say the fucking word, and I’ll cancel the party and come get you.’ Dad said through the mindlink we shared.
‘I’ll be okay.’ I lied to dad. ‘I just need a minute.’
No amount of time would fix this. What am I going to do?
Then I smelled him. My mate. And before I could think of what to do, I was tackled to the ground by a large wolf. Pressing his black paws down on my white fur.
He probably believed that I was as weak as the women in his pack. He must think I am young and unexperienced, but I have beaten alphas bigger than him in combat.
I growled before getting out from under his hold.
We faced each other, both standing and taking a fighting stance. Was he going to try and kill me instead of rejecting me?!
Because I am not going to go down easy, and he will not get away with attacking one of us inside our own pack!
But to my surprise, Alpha Dashwood shifted back, standing in front of me very naked. The suits he wore did not do his body justice, and I hated how I felt when I saw his muscles flex.
The man’s body was perfect, and I hated him even more for it.
“Shift back now!” Alpha Dashwood commanded. I could ignore his command for a while, but I am not an alpha yet, so it will hurt. However, my wolf made a decision against my wishes and enforced the shift.
“Like a child, you run away. Why would the Moon Goddess curse me with a pup for a mate?”
I stood frozen, lost for words. The cold wind blew across my skin, giving me goosebumps.
When his eyes found my chest, which had been affected by the cold as well, I scoffed. He calls me a pup, yet stares at my boobs! “Why would the Moon Goddess curse me with a cold, thoughtless grandpa?”
He growled at my insult, “just because you’re my mate does not mean I will tolerate any disrespect, Miss Omari.”
I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. Even now, he refuses to use my first name.
“The gall. Once you come back home with me, you will learn how to behave.”
Come back home?!
I shook my head, “There is no way I am coming back with you, Asswood.”
The name slipped out before I could stop myself.
Alpha Dashwood tried to grab my arm, probably wanting to drag me back to his pack, but I was too fast.
I dodged his attempt, stepping a few steps back, feeling the loose stones underneath my feet. I was too close to the river.
I could just study myself instead of ungraciously falling on my ass. But now I had nowhere else to run to.
This large, annoying man was blocking my front and the river my back.
“You either follow me back to the party and we discuss this like adults, preferably with your parents present, or I will carry you back myself.”
I contemplated my options. Walking beside him would mean that Alpha Asswood had won.
“I’m waiting,” Stupid mate of mine said, tapping an imaginary watch on his wrist. “The ball is in your court, Miss Omari.”
Yeah, no fucking way I was getting to let him win.
I smirked, “how about I race you?” And before he could say anything, I shifted and ran as fast as I could past the large British senior citizen in front of me.
‘He’s not that old,’ Snow said.
‘Just run, you traitor.’ I told my wolf. She seemed to enjoy being chased by our mate, while I felt the opposite reaction. I was feeling pure panic.
What the hell am I going to do now?
I need two chapters from both their pov for me to have a story idea. But I will try to write whenever I have time and add chapters slowly.in the mean time, I will continue to try and post at least five times a week for Hunting for Our mate. Because there is a lot more to come!I will start on chapter 94 right now. So the update should be up in a few hours if all goes well.Oh, and don't hate Ford too much. I'm sure there's a nice guy in there somewhere. lol.I have tried to make him sound british. As a dutch person I watch a lot of british and american tv, so that's helped with my English. But Ford isn't just british, he's a snob as well. So it takes a bit of looking online for synonyms to get his way of talking right.- - - - - - - Ford’s povThe gall of this young lady.‘Your mate.’ Callum, my wolf reminded me.How could I forget?I looked up at the moon as Nivia Evelien Leia Omari ran in her wolf form, her white wolf moving so quickly that it almost looked like a stripe passing by
Raiden’s povI knew something was up. I always do. But I also know my little mouse sometimes needs time to process. She is not used to voicing her thoughts or saying what she wants or needs.It’s my job to be her safe place. To allow her to come to me when she needs to.And I know when my mate is lying and she isn’t lying, she’s trying to find the right words."Does it not bother you that she's still not able to speak freely?" Atlas asked.It does. But maybe that’s on me. Or on her parents. Yeah, of course I get insecure when she doesn’t talk to me. Especially because I know if Zev wasn’t an asshole, she’d be able to confide in him.‘What if that was still, -‘Nope. Not even going to go there. There are some things that are unforgivable. Rejection is not something you can just do, change your mind, and then take it back. A rejection is permanent. It hurts for a reason.Your heart isn’t merely breaking; it’s severing the connection, the bond, to your mate.I am glad Atalanta hasn’t had
Zev’s pov"Ethan, you can't possibly be allowing Raiden to do this." Once Raiden had left the room with Lana, Steve spoke.Raiden had looked at me, as if he were trying to make me jealous. As if he were trying to show me what I could never have. And it worked to a degree. I was jealous.Alpha Ethan sighed, “I am not letting Raiden do anything. He’s an adult, capable of making his own choices. We’ve always noticed Raiden and Stephen didn’t get along as well as we wanted to.”“Yet you did nothing to fix that.” Steve replied.“I am still the alpha, Steve.” Ethan growled. “Don’t test me right now. Like Grace said, we are not making any rash decisions. Suzie isn’t of age yet, so while she is here she can join Stephen during his beta training. It will give her a chance to make a decision, and if Suzie decides not to accept Raiden’s offer, it means Stephen won’t be behind in training.”“You want him to work together with her?” Steve looked at Suzie as if she were worthless. I wish I could min
A short chapter so i made it free, because it feels wrong charging so much for only 1300 words.It's my youngest birthday, today. He's six.- - - - - - - -Raiden’s pov“I’ve been hiding something from you.” I admitted to my little mouse.When I had walked into the room today, she had quickly hid something in her closet. This had not been the first time this week. I had been busy helping dad, but I made sure to spend time with my mate. It helped Suzie was here because it meant there was another person looking out for Atalanta.Unfortunately, Suzie was occupied with her training to become my beta. So my mouse was still alone a lot of the time. Mom spent some time teaching her some Luna stuff during the day; I made sure to train her every morning, and Suzie went on runs with Atalanta as well.But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to be here all the time.I couldn’t get rid of this nagging thought that my mate wasn’t okay. That she needed me.There was something going on.Yet s
Zev’s povThere’s always a bit of time between work and dinner, and for the last few days I’ve spent it either writing in my journal or writing letters to Lana.In the past, when I wrote my mom, it felt therapeutic. When I started writing with Lana, I stopped, but my therapist encouraged me to restart.For years I have created this story in my head of what happened with my dad and my mom, and since my talk with Ethan and Grace, I’m not sure what memories are real and what I made up.So, my therapist told me to just write down my thoughts. Whenever a memory or a feeling pops up, not to push it down or to analyze it. But to feel it. To go through it to see what’s on the other side.She shared something that made me laugh. Something this guy once said. Basically, the guy said when someone pees in your glass of water, adding sugar does nothing to get rid of the pee. It’s still there, even if it just tastes sweeter.My therapist said life and trauma are like that. When bad things happen, yo
Raiden’s pov“Now stay down,” I growled.Zev was too stubborn to stay on the ground and pushed himself up.Fine. If he wants to get beaten to a pulp again, I'll gladly oblige."It was my destiny to stand by your side." Zev said, as he got up. "You've always wanted me to be your beta, but that's not where I belong. My place was not next to you, but next to Lana.”I scoffed, “yet you had no problem giving it up.”Zev put his hands up, ready to continue our fight. I let him get one hit in before hitting him against the ribs again.“If you had been there, you could have seen it; it has never been easy to let Lana go. That’s why I was such a, -““A dick? Yeah, I don’t want to hear your excuses, Zev. While you were feeling sorry for yourself, I was out there hunting for our mate. I was trying to find her and get her out while you were whining in your bed.” I said as I quickly punched him three times. “Just fight me.”“You had no problem giving up our friendship,” Zev replied, hitting me.He
Atalanta’s pov"So... why are you smiling?” Suzie asked while she was sipping on her cocktail through a straw.“Your story reminded me of the first kiss I had with Raiden,” I admitted. I was feeling a bit tipsy after drinking a few too many fruity cocktails.Suzie and Luna Grace had offered to take me out to distract me, and they had. Luna Grace had shared how she and Alpha Ethan had met and fallen in love. And Suzie had talked about how Stephen suddenly didn’t flirt with her anymore or tried asking her out.But after a few drinks, she had admitted they had something called "hate-sex," which needed to be explained to me what it was.I had never had sex out of anger. Or I don’t think so.‘You rarely get angry.’ Artemis chimed in.“Tell us,” Luna Grace asked. “But skip the details.” She giggled.“Raiden said how much he and Zev liked me and how they wanted to help me, and he admitted that he liked me a bit too much but felt guilty about Zev.” I recalled. It felt like another life.I smil
Zev’s povWhat the hell is Raiden doing?He is going to wreck everything I've been working for.‘Relax, dude. I’m trying to help. Play along.’ Raiden’s voice came into my head.‘What?’‘Me and my mouse know what you’re doing with Steve.’ Raiden explained before yelling at me.I hadn't even heard Steve's response."Do you have anything to say, coward? You try and get my mate from me, but now you’re too chicken shit to open your mouth. Do you think Atalanta should join the pack?” Raiden growled at me.‘Don’t look so happy, idiot.’ He mindlinked with a smirk.I growled back, “no. She shouldn’t. No half-bred woman has any business joining a pack, let alone as the future Luna.”Steve slapped me on the shoulder, “good.”“Let’s all calm down,” Ethan tried, but Raiden didn’t feel like calming down. He wanted to push Steve a bit further. Make him lose his mind.Raiden laughed, “calm down? That’s all we’ve been doing! We should prepare for war and kill those hunters, yet we’re hiding and doing j
Raiden’s povAlthough we don’t celebrate Christmas, because you know, we don’t believe in Jesus or God, we do have our own celebration. Our celebration is rooted in pagan holidays such as Saturnalia, the winter solstice, and Yule, which also serve as the basis for Christmas, but we won't delve into that.The lights, the tree, the gifts—it's all there. Just no Santa and definitely no nativity stable and stuff.But I was working to a point… My point is, we have watched a few Christmas movies, and I am familiar with some of the songs.And the one that keeps repeating in my head is, “he’s making a list. He’s checking it twice.”I have a list as well. It’s sort of like a naughty or nice list, but it only contains those who have been bad. Those that need punishment.And I am not talking about some coal in their stocking. No… Just some good old-fashioned murder.First on my list is, of course, that fucking dickhead General Sweets. Not far behind are mommy dearest and stepdaddy. I’ve already
Atalanta’s povI looked around me, trying to hear and see if anyone noticed me. I had run here quickly, and with my size, I wasn’t as noticeable as Raiden or Zev. But I am still a wolf in a hunter's village.Everyone around me seemed too busy with the wolves near the borders of the village. People were either hiding or going out to fight, none of them expecting one of the wolves had already gotten through.I could run back. I could stick to the plan. But this is probably where the scout is being held. This could be a chance to free him.While I had my eyes closed during the night the General took me down to his laboratory, I could still hear and smell. And the only other person who was there was the doctor. Most of the people here weren’t even aware of the experiments the General performed.There could be a chance he was hiding him elsewhere, a place prisoners usually are kept. But I had this feeling in my gut. General Sweets would want more than information if he found a strong male w
Atalanta’s povTo say I was freaking out was an understatement. The only thing holding me together was reminding myself why we were doing this.It was for our future. Raiden, Zev, and I together, having our own family.And a safe place to raise that family with people that we cared about.I don’t know when the idea of having a family, of having a baby, popped up in my head. It might have been because of Zev’s letter.Even now that we’re marked, he continues to write me little notes or letters on the days I’m scheduled to work alongside Raiden or Odin.In one of them he shared how Suzie made him see sense by showing him what he could have. He described this family, with us as parents. There was no intent behind it, no pressure for me to have a baby. He was just saying that in a perfect world, one day that could be us.And it made sense. Zev and I both wanted a loving family more than anything. Raiden already has a loving family, so he’s in less of a hurry.‘And he wants you all to hims
Zev’s pov“Do you think Odin remembers what I told him about hunters using the bow and arrow first? because it makes less noise?” Lana asked while Raiden kissed her neck.She moaned softly as I unbuttoned her shirt, as instructed by Raiden during the meeting.‘We’re going to distract our mate as much as possible while enjoying each other to the fullest.’ Raiden had mindlinked me earlier. ‘I need your help, because I’m pretty sure she’s freaking the fuck out.’He had used his stupid alpha voice when he asked me. I’m not even sure he realizes he uses a different voice for some things. It’s like more authoritarian, lower somehow?To me it just sounds stupid, because I’ve grown up with the man. Honestly, it sounds like a little boy's version of how a big, strong man should sound.But if it makes him feel good, who cares, right?I removed one sleeve, and then the next, while Raiden’s kisses went lower. “He knows, little mouse.”Lana looked at me, “first bows, then guns, then knives for clos
hi, I'm sorry for the lack of updates. Last Friday I had a meeting about my oldest and the school informed me he is doing so well, they think he can transfer to a different type of school. so, from special education to a school that still has smaller classes, but the kids there need less help. he's currently going to a school with kids who are on the autism spectrum, have adhd or behavior issues. it would be a chance for him to be in a classroom that isn't as loud or disruptive. Anyway, I've been busy contacting schools and visited two today. also my husband got a vasectomy today, so I'm his nurse lol. tomorrow I should be able to write. but I wanted to explain why it's been a bit hard to find time. I'm fine, just busy.
Raiden’s povBeing the alpha is fucking awesome. Especially when you have many people around to do all the parts of the job you don’t want to do. I’m the alpha of delegating.I don’t like numbers, so, Zev, why don’t you and Stephen handle it?I’d rather hang out with my mate instead of speaking to a girl I used to hook up with once, because she has a complaint. Suzie, you’ve got this. Go speak to someone who's probably going to be pissed because I don't remember anything past her name.I need to talk to some alphas who are supposed to be our allies. You know what, Dad… Aah, fuck, that is actually something only an alpha can do.To send someone else would look like I was disrespecting them. Not that I respect most of these dickheads; they’ve been working against me and my mate behind our backs.But it’s been a few weeks now since we took over, and I think it’s time to start hunting these hunters. And I’d rather do it with more people than less.Which means I need other packs to support
Atalanta’s pov“Are you getting your period or something?” Raiden asked before Zev hit him against his arm.“You can’t just ask a woman that!”Raiden rolled his eyes, “as if you would know when she’s about to have her period; you have only been back in this relationship for a little over a week.”“That’s not the point!” Zev argued back, while I stayed quiet, watching them fight over nothing.“What is the fucking point then?” Raiden asked. “Atalanta has been more quiet than usual and a bit grumpy,” he looked at me. “Sorry, little mouse, but you are a bit moody.” Then went back to Zev, “it’s just a question.”Zev sighed, “it could be many things, and to blame it on hormones is so immature.”“Besides,” Suzie added. “Lana was probably never allowed to behave differently during her periods back home, so who knows how differently she acts around that time? I mean, I never noticed anything, and we shared a room.”Raiden looked at her while shaking his head in disbelief, “you do know we share
Atalanta’s pov“Today was perfect, everything… Just, thank you, Lana. The breakfast, my surprise, the party. I’ll thank the rest later, but I knew you had a hand in most of it.” Suzie said, as we walked to the woods together.“Not the car; I had no idea Raiden was doing that.” I replied.“Yeah, that’s crazy.” Suzie laughed nervously.“Are you sure you want me there and not him?” I knew it might be better if her future alpha was here, instead of someone who had only shifted once.She shook her head, “no. I want you there. Besides, if Stephen and Raiden were both there, they would end up bickering, and I would be too busy telling them to shut up to shift.”I giggled, “probably.”“Besides, your first shift was so different. With the being knocked out and everything. I think you need a do-over. And I like the idea of doing this together with someone for the first time. I don’t need someone telling me what to do; I have my wolf for that. I just need people around me who have my back. Who wi
Raiden’s pov‘It was so beautiful to see, and I just can’t believe how well the shift went.’ Atalanta said this as we ran back to the packhouse, still in our wolf shape.‘Uh-huh,’ I replied.She giggled, ‘you don’t want to talk right now?’‘No,’ I answered truthfully, until Zev loudly scoffed in our shared mindlink.‘Raiden! You can’t just say that!’‘Little mouse, normally I would love to hear all about how you supported your friend and how well your second time shifting went. I would love nothing more than to hear every single detail about tonight, but after. Not now.’Our mate giggled, while Zev growled. ‘You’re such an ass.’I sighed, ‘Zev… You know me better than anyone. Do you honestly think I possess the patience to listen to a story mere minutes after our mate informed us she wants to mark me?’‘Us.’“Yeah, whatever us. Do you think I’d actually be able to listen to anything she has to say? It would be a disservice to our sweet mate to let her tell her story about tonight, beca