ALEXI Three days after Luke captured me, Ollie got the codes I needed. He programmed them into keycards I will use on the doors to the laboratory. He hands them to me. "You're sure you want to do this." He holds them as I put wrap my fingers around them. "Yes, Ollie. I must." I suck in a breath. "You act like you don't have a choice, Alexi. When you do. You have the choice to not pursue this. Your Alpha. His heart is strong. He can give you want you want. You just need to open your heart, Alexi." Ollie held my arms and spoke softly, but with the guidance of a scholar. I smile. "Thank you for these. I must go." I take the key cards and put them in my pocket. Leaving the house, I walk down the dark street. Handling the key cards in my pocket. My thoughts are not of the mission at hand, but of Luke. I feel his heart. His feelings. I'm conflicted. He's right to a point. My father was great. I can never be like him. I couldn't rule a pack and command it with such conviction. Our peo
LUKEI've been punching my way through Lycans and Dragons in this whole damn town. Looking for anyone who can tell me what Alexi is up to and where she is."WHERE IS SHE?" I growl fiercely, delivering a brutal punch to the Dragon I have tied up on the ground of the old Lycan hole.He can barely breath. I've been knocking him senseless for two days.He utters a word I can barely hear. "Nash.""What?" I grab his hair and put his swollen, bloody face to mine. "What was that?""Nash." He says again."Who's Nash?" I grind."Princess....lover...." He manages. He's exhausted and practically dead."Make sense!" I shake his head.".... Highway 12......30 minutes.......he'll tell you." he coughs.I let go of his head. "Thanks" I say. I leave him tied up on the floor. Leaving the warehouse and jumping in my dad's truck. My dad's still hanging on, which is a good thing for me because I really want to fix my mess before he goes.I drive to the location the Dragon gave me. A lone house on the highw
ALEXII pace back and forth across the field. The night breeze blows my hair. I bounce my gun in my hand as I walk and wait.Whimpers come from the ground where 20 kids are tied up and poisoned with Wolfsbane."Oh. Shut up." I grumble. Walking past the scared, drugged faces."Alexi!"I turn, holding my gun at my side. "No! I told you to leave me be!" I shout at Luke as he heads in my direction. I walk behind the kids. "Not another step!" I point my gun at the head of a child.He stops and puts his hands up. "Ok. Alexi, just calm down.""Where's Anna Riker?! " I demand."She's here, but Alexi, please. You may be a Torrent, but you're not this. Don't do this, Alexi.""How many times are going to go through this. I will not stop until Anna Riker is dead." I push my barrel into the child's hair. She whimpers.He steps closer. "Alexi, please. This is killing me to see you like this. Please.""That's your problem Luke, not mine." I stare at him intently.He steps even closer. "I know about
LUKEI swing my fist with all the anger I have. I punch at Richie, growling. He's forced back as I swing at him left and right. He tries to block my punches, but I'm relentless and he's tiring fast."Luke! Tone it down!" He yells. He's shielding his face as I see red.I forcefully huff out my breath with each swing. He's not going to last much longer."LUKE!!" He yells, trying to break my tunnel vision.He finally sees an opening and punches me hard in the face. It's enough to send me back, shaking my head."ENOUGH!" Richie yells.I pant, wiping the blood from my nose. I'm dripping in sweat and rage. I stand with my hands on my hips looking at the ceiling, trying to slow my heart rate.He walks over and hands me a towel. "As much as I'm enjoying having a real challenge, I don't need to be pummeled by you, ok?"I glance at him and wipe my face and chest. "Sorry." I grunt.He puts his hand on my shoulder. "How are you holding up?""I'm not." I shake my head. "I've lost all control. I do
ALEXII finished writing and pushed the list to the big, blonde Alpha with the long hair. I frown at the thought that these people were my friends and they lied to me my whole life. My father was the monster. Not the Alphas. That doesn't mean that the Alliance is innocent. There's much they need to pay for, but maybe they can pay in a different way.I look across the room and Luke is leaning in a corner with his arms crossed. He smiles and nods and I give him a half smile back. I may not have liked his approach, but he showed me what I needed to see. He told me the truth, which apparently nobody has ever done before.I have a lot to process, but I hope in time I find that girl I was before all this started."Ok. Thank you, Alexi." The big Alpha says."You're welcome." I say meekly."Now. You'll have to wear the collar until you testify." He folds his hands over the paperLuke pushes off the wall to the table leaning on it. "Testify? What do you mean testify?""She has to testify when
LUKEWe buried my father a few days later in a private family ceremony in the woods behind the pack house.After the funeral, Bobby held a small press conference outside the house.I told my people that my father passed away and that as me as their official Alpha, I promised to make their home safe.After, I walk slowly up the stairs. I want to scream and punch things. I want to destroy and dismember, but I also just want to lay in Alexi's arms and cry. I'm not ready to be alone as a son. With my dad being so old, I felt I just didn't get enough time with him. Being a shifter, you take time for granted. Any one of us could still die at any moment.Now, I'm Alpha. In charge of people's lives. They'll look to me for all the decisions and I just hope I make the right ones.My wolf wants to bug out. Leave. Run. Only because he's hurt and struggling. Dealing with everything that's happened.But I can't run. Not now. I need Alexi.Walk slowly down the hall to Alexi's room and open the door.
LUKEI knew something was wrong. I could feel it in my gut. Then I heard Alexi whimper and someone talking to her.When I saw Gerome pushing on Alexi in the girl's washroom, I fucking lost it. My wolf surfaced and he saw red. All I wanted to do was rip him to pieces for even thinking of trying that with her.As cousins, we were friends, but not anymore. He steps foot anywhere near me or Alexi, I'll rip his head off.When I saw how powerless Alexi was, I felt angry. She shouldn't be so powerless. I know her collar suppresses her wolf, but her human side should still be able to hold her own.After the incident, Alexi refused to come out of her room. So, I've been staying with her every day and night until she'd fall asleep for a week now. But tonight? No. This shit ends now.After Alexi fell asleep in my arms, I snuck out and went downstairs.Gavin, Terry, Bobby and Lucy were all sitting in the common room.Lucy was sitting on the couch, legs crossed, playing on her phone.Gavin was sit
LUKEI woke up to sun beaming on my face. I rolled to my back and opened one eye. The sun was certainly brighter today. I blink my eyes to adjust to light.I was feeling fan-fucking-tastic. I was out almost instantly. I slept even better than the first night with Alexi.Speaking of my sexy red head.I reach my arm out and the bed is cold. I raise my head and look at the spot Alexi is supposed to be in. She's not there. I look around the room and call out to the bathroom. "Alexi?"No answer. I sit up. She wouldn't. I pull the sheets off and pull on my jeans. I swing the door to the room open and rush into the hallway.I'm practically running down the stairs and find Gavin on his phone with a coffee on the couch."Hey, you seen Alexi?" I ask. I'm breathless and in a panic.Gavin chuckles at the sight of my worried face. "Yeah, dude. She's out back in the garden."I breathe a sigh of relief. Leaning back. "Thanks."I step to the back of the house. Past the game room and the training room
LUKE"Hey, kids!......Josh, let's go!" I wave the boys all in from running around the open field of the park."Awe, come on, Uncle Luke." Josh stomps his feet as he and the other kids join the rest of us guys at the ceremony.I look down at him when he gets close placing my hand on his shoulder. "Cool the attitude, dude. This is Aunt Alexi's special day and you won't be ruining it for her."He looks down. "Okay." He mumbles."Good man." I clap his shoulder. I look to the other boys. "Now, you kids go find your moms. Don't need you guys getting all messed up before the ceremony." I arch a brow."Okay." Josh says. "Come on, guys." He waves at the kids and they run off between the white chairs set up in the park.I walk up the aisle with my hands in the pockets of my tux. Bobby, Jayson, Terry, River, Kale, Cass and Dea were all standing around at the altar."There he is." Bobby grins. "How ya doing, Alpha?""I thought I was gonna puke before the ball. This has got nothing on that. I'm go
ALEXI"Babe. Just pick a damn date." Luke's frustration is showing.They've all been harassing me for a date for the Luna ceremony and I just can't decide.I turn to him. "Don't get cross with me, Alpha. I just can't pick a date out of thin air."He throws his hands up. "Why not?""Because. I want it to be special. It has to mean something." I really want this to be perfect.He steps closer. "Isn't the ceremony special enough?"I cross my arms. "No. It's my only ceremony and I want it to be perfect. You should understand that.""Do you guys seriously have to do this right now?" Lucy says as she fights off a Lycan who has her in a headlock. She breaks apart from him and kicks him in the head. Sending him to the floor.Luke turns and delivers a left hook to a Lycan who falls into three other guys behind him. "Yes. We have to do this now. Moms on my case." He's jumped and taken down. After wrestling, he gets the upper hand and shoots the guy.I draw my weapon and fire at a Lycan who was
LUKEAs much as I'd love to bathe in Alexis sweet love forever, I have work I need to do as Alpha.This includes my first council meeting as the Alpha of Red Rock.I skipped my actual first meeting because I was really not prepared for it at all. Plus, Alexi and I had training at our new Enforcer Station to complete.So. Five months later, I walk in with Alexi to the upcoming council meeting.As we walk, I side eye her. She's dressed in a nice knee high, deep green dress. Her hair is pinned up and she's easily the sexiest Luna here.I kept my promise of no suit. A button-down shirt and jeans is the closest they'll get.I walk into the Council Building in Falcon Ridge with Alexi on my arm. We walk to the oversized double doors. They're open.There's a big plaque stating Council of Alphas now in session hanging on the wall.I look at Alexi. "Ready, Luna?" I give her a quick kiss."Ready, Alpha." She smilesI place a hand on her back and allow her to enter first."Alexi!' Anna waves from
LUKE"Alexi!"I chased after her to the tree line, but when I saw her dress explode into shreds of fabric, I knew it.It was over. That's it.I picked up some silk off the ground and stood there under the moon as it gracefully approached its peak. It's blue light casting down on me.I felt it too. Everything I felt for Alexi was amplified. The electricity and air around us increased. I felt the pull. This was it. I knew it.When I saw her face, though, everything changed.She looked scared, upset. She looked like she was rejecting me. She didn't want it. She didn't want me.My heart breaks as I look out to the trees where she ran away.Everything I thought, gone with one shift.Jayson and River walked up behind me. "Where'd she go?" Jayson asks.I threw the fabric on the ground. "Anywhere, but here." I turn around and walk to the limo."Take me home." I say to the driver as I get in and shut the door.Driving down the highway, I rest my mouth on my hand as I watch the scenery pass by.
LUKEMy heart is beating out my chest. You'd think it was a Luna ceremony or something.For the last 2 weeks, I've been carefully planning everything.The limo, the flowers, dinner all of it. This ball is going to be the best thing to happen to both of us.I stare in the mirror trying to tie my tie. I'm getting frustrated. I don't wear these things.I yank it off with a growl and hang my head trying to control my frustration.Lucy comes to check in. "Hey, big bro." She looks at me as I roll my head to her.She chuckles. "Can't do it, huh?""No. I don't get why we have to wear these stupid things." I whip it out at my side.She turns me around and takes the tie from me. "It just takes practice. You better get used it Mister council member."She flips my collar up. "I'm not wearing a suit to the council meetings. No way."She carefully knots the tie. "You should. It shows responsibility. Dad always wore a suit.""Yeah, well. This is one Alpha that doesn't need a stupid suit to prove he'
LUKE"Thanks!" Kale says from the wall as I hand him a beer. He's grinning that goofy smile of his."You're welcome. I haven't seen you much, man. Where ya been?" I lean on the wall beside him.He rubs the back of his head. "Oh, you know. I've been kind of preoccupied." He gives me a look.I know that look. "Dude, it's been almost a year, you guys can't still be locked in the bedroom." I chuckle.Jayson looks up from the pool table, stopping himself from taking his aim. "Do you even realize who you're talking to?" He shakes his head and aims for his pool ball. He shoots and misses the shot."Hey, I can't help it if my girl can't get enough." Kale smiles and puffs out his chest.River looks at Kale. "Don't drink it all in one shot, man. Trust me." He aims and sinks his ball.Michael's sitting at the bar. "Don't listen to him. He's just bitter that his not getting any." Kale and Jayson chuckle.River points his pool stick at him. "Watch it." He smirks.Michael makes an ooo I'm scared lo
ALEXISince Luke has pretty much decided I'm to be his Luna, I felt I should make my presence known among the other Lunas and Luke's friends. I have a lot to make up for and if we are to be a trusted member of the alliance, I need to offer an olive branch to the people I hurt.After much pestering, Luke finally agreed to let me have a luncheon with his friends and family."Can you move that table a little to left please." I direct the staff helping me set up the tables out in the garden where all the ladies will be.A staff girl presents the menu to me and I look it over. "It's lovely. Thank you." I send her on her way as Luke comes through the French doors."Wow. It's looking pretty fancy out here." He teases, giving me a kiss on my cheek.I breathe nervously. "Yes, well, I want everything to be perfect. This luncheon will be my chance to show your friends that I'm not the horrible monster they think I am.""You're not a monster, Alexi." Lucy comes out to the garden carrying a vase o
LUKEWith the moon just a few weeks out, I'm starting to get nervous.Since the rescue of Alexi, we've gotten really close.She no longer has her own room. Today she's moving in to my room."You sure we should do this?" She asks. She's sitting on my bed as I clear space in my closet for her clothes.I flop my hands at my side. "A thousand time, yes. Alexi, its fine. You're my fated and there's no question about it.""Luke, I just don't want you to get too excited...." I cut her off by gliding across the room to her and grabbing her head.I kiss her quick. "No arguments." I warn and head back to the closet."Luke...." She sighs just as there is a knock at the door."It's open!" I yell.The door opens to a mound of dresses. "A little help...."Alexi runs over and scoops up some dresses. "What's all this?" She asks as she drops the dresses on the bed and Lucy drops her half of the mound.Lucy smiles. "Ball gowns." She turns to me. "You....out!" Pointing to the door."This is my room." I
ALEXIMy recovery was slow. I still had numbness in my spine, but each passing day I was feeling more normal.Luke filled in the details of the rescue. It sounded heroic and very dangerous. I slightly scolded him for such a bold effort."One of these days, Alpha, you're going to be too careless." I wag my finger at him.We're sitting in the common room. Luke has been doting on me since I woke up. He hands me a tea and wraps a blanket around my legs."I knew what I was doing. These dogs have more muscle than brains. It was easy." He smirks."Right. It sounded like a war." I laugh."It was a war. I'd fight a thousand guys to get you back." He sat back on the couch. "I almost killed everyone here because I had to wait for their slow asses....""Whatever...." Bobby came in from the dining hall. "If we let you go you would've gotten yourself killed." He sank into the couch across from us.Gavin walked in from his office. "Bastian's on the phone." He handed Luke his cellphone.Luke shakes h