"Baby, I'm sorry. It would not happen again. I will be careful," Eirika interrupted in a fervent whisper. She stretched up then, to stand on her toes and reached up to frame the side of his jaw. Arric shut his eyes to lean into her touch. Eirika tried to make him lower his face to her but he wrapped an arm around her waist instead and lifted her up. In reflex, she cupped the sides of his face and peppered kisses all over his face: the tip of his nose, his closed eyelids, the corners of his lips, and finally she coaxed his lips apart and drew his upper lip into her mouth to suckled before taking the lower one. Arric moaned into her mouth and the arm holding her tightened. "I'm sorry," Eirika repeated as both of their bodies quivered with feverish need. She felt Arric cup her bum, squeezed, and then his hand traveled in between her legs. He used the pad of his fingers to slowly traced and stroked her opening while he took charge of the kiss. Kissing her with desperate need.Eirika wh
Eirika emerged from the dense woods, panting heavily as she sprinted towards a clearing where she could rest for a while. Her eyes scanned the surroundings for any sign of danger before she finally collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. She had been on the run for days, trying to put as much distance as possible between herself and Arric. And trying very hard not to think about him – which was not easy. Her shoulders shook in tears as she cried for him, allowing herself to scream into the void for the first time since she learned of his identity. How could the goddess be cruel as to give her the son of the man who killed her parents as a mate?! And how could he seem so perfect that he stole her heart within a few weeks of knowing him? How could such a man as Alpha Roffe Barther sire a son like Arric? The thought of his name produced fresh tears from her eyes. Her very soul craved his presence, his touch, his love. He had treated her with such care and tenderness. And it had all
Eirika took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves as she was led through the streets of the Silvertooth Nightstalkers Pack grounds. She couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as she looked around at the well-structured village. The rows of houses on either side of the streets were neat and organized, with each one displaying the status of the pack member who lived there.As they walked through the quiet streets, Eirika couldn't help but notice the stark differences between the houses on each street. Some streets had smaller, more run-down houses, while others had grander, more opulent ones. She couldn't help but wonder what sort of hierarchy existed within the pack. Eventually, they arrived at a large, ornate gate that led to her uncle's house. Eirika's heart pounded as they approached. The house was a modern mansion built like a castle, with towers and turrets rising up into the sky. It was breathtaking, but Eirika was more concerned with what lay ahead.As they approached the g
"Now, let me tell you how we are going to play this," Her uncle said calmly as he took her through a hallway paved in gold. As if they didn't just leave a scene of slaughtered werewolves in their wake or that a few minutes before he wasn't going to have her killed. She tried to act indifferent, not knowing where this was leading. But all her senses were on high alert for any signs of danger, clutching the dagger tightly under her jacket. She didn't know if he was mated now or had offspring. The last time she saw him, he was having problems with neighboring packs and had come to her father for help. There was never any mention of an immediate family. And with how quiet the house seemed, it appeared he was living alone. He took her into his study with bookshelves framing one side of the wall and a wine cabinet on the other. The office had a high ceiling and at two corners of it were two stuffed heads of terrifying-looking wolves, mounted high up the walls. The room smelled strongly o
Eirika slowly opened her eyes, squinting against the dim light filtering through the curtains. She yawned and stretched her arms, feeling the stiffness in her muscles from sleeping too long. Suddenly, her eyes widened in shock as she realized the sun had already set and the moon had risen high in the sky. She had slept for an entire day! "Holy hells!" she cursed and quickly jumped out of bed, adrenaline pumping through her veins as the happenings of the previous day replayed in her head. She looked around her new home with her eyes darting in their sockets. If she must form a plan she really couldn't afford to be carried away. The real task was just beginning and first, she must know her terrain She decided to freshen up and hurriedly made her way to the bathroom. She took a long, hot shower, feeling the warm water soothe her aching body. After getting dressed, she went to the kitchen to make herself some food. Rummaging through the cupboards, she found some eggs, bacon, and bre
Eirika saw the scar-faced guy standing up watching them intently. His eyes were cold and piercing. She held Nigel’s gaze, plastered a seductive smile on her face, and closed the distance between them, deliberately swaying her hips for effect and batting her eyelashes. “I promise, handsome, this was not my fault. The big, bad guy was being mean to me and poor Brook,” she said, pouting, and placed an open palm against his chest to stare into his unfamiliar-colored eyes. She recalled his eyes used to be hazel with gold flecks and now they were dull green like regular wolves. “And you need to be careful or I might start thinking you are following me. This is the third time we have run into each other today,” she added. Nigel’s eyebrow furrowed as he returned her keen stare. “You can’t keep getting into trouble like this, pup,” Nigel said. Eirika almost collapsed from relief. ‘Thank you,’ she mouthed. And aloud she said, “He started it!” Two werewolves tried to help Jack up but he ro
"I'm down in the basement, dad," Nigel said, and shortly after Eirika heard the door open and turned around. Her eyes widened with surprise when she saw it was her uncle's beta. He eyed her warily, darting his gaze from her to Nigel. "Dad…" "Good evening or should I say morning, Miss Aria," the older werewolf said. "Aria?" Nigel repeated. "Since when are you Aria?" Nigel said with a confused frown. "You know this young lady?" his father asked. "We went to school together," Nigel said and went to stand beside his dad. The two of them stood side by side and Eirika recalled why she had thought the older man looked familiar. They looked alike but their eyes were all wrong. "Why are your eyes dull green?" Eirika asked. Nigel arched an eyebrow at her. His father frowned, looking worried. "Maybe if you explain what's really going on with you, I will trust you with my answers," Nigel said, "because we both know you are not Aria. You are wearing contacts and that is not your real hai
Nigel knocked on Eirika's door at the crack of dawn. She answered the door in her training gear, ready to start the day. They went for a jog in the woods, sticking to the shoreline away from the town’s border where they might be sighted. They jogged side by side in companionable silence. Nigel's father had warned her to be careful what she and Nigel discussed in the open, reminding them they were in a werewolf's pack and nothing much was hidden. He told them not to let anyone know that they had a history. Otherwise, that would get Nigel in trouble. When they returned to Eirika's cottage, she offered to cook Nigel breakfast, joking–in dark humor–about taking advantage of the hospitality. Nigel agreed, holding her gaze. Eirika cooked them a hearty breakfast, and Nigel quickly devoured his. "Thanks for the breakfast, Eirika. It's… not bad," Nigel said. Eirika threw a napkin at him. He chuckled and she couldn’t help but stared at him, still in disbelief that she was with Nigel Hartwell
Arric watched as the doctor continued to examine Eirika and then she breathed a sigh of relief. "See here … this hole indicates the bullet went through and did not dislodge in her stomach," she said, showing Arric a hole in Eirika's back. "This is good. You are very lucky, Luna, the bullet missed your baby, we just need to be sure it missed vital organs too." Dr. Michelle Riverclaw worked quickly to patch up Eirika's wound and stop the bleeding. Eirika was in agony, but she stayed still, knowing that the doctor was doing all she could to save her. As soon as Eirika was stabilized, Dr. Michelle Riverclaw said, "We need to get them to the clinic." Her voice was urgent. "And make sure they get the proper care." Arric nodded, his eyes never leaving Eirika and their newborn child. "I'll take care of them," he said with determination in his voice. Arric called out to Danny who was waiting by the door with the others. "How are they? Luna and the pup?" Bishop asked eagerly. "They are
"So… another defenseless victim, huh? That's a surprise," she said and continued to laugh almost hysterically now. Mauro came to stand beside her and pulled her painfully by the hair to force her to lift and tilt her face upward and stopped laughing and also to get her close enough to stab her stomach. But Eirika could not be deterred. "Seriously, Mauro, tell me… I'm going to die anyway right? There must be human blood in you somehow," Eirika taunted still. "You fucking bitch!" He snarled. "Soo that's a yes… I thought so too," she said and before he could react, she plunged the knife she had pulled from the rack earlier under his armpit, pushing it deep enough to puncture his heart. His eyes widened in shock. When he tried to stab her still, she gripped his wrist and with a loud growl continued to push the knife through his body with every strength she could muster, shaking from the effort. "You must be dense to think I would be that easy to kill," Eirika snarled, "I killed your
The night was cold and crisp at Narrow Creek Manor - the perfect weather for the Lycanthropes to come out to play. At the back of the imposing building, a bonfire was roaring, casting flickering shadows across the clearing where the makeshift dining table was set up. The table was long and sturdy, crafted from a thick slab of oak. It was surrounded by rough-hewn log benches and cushioned chairs, where the guests sat. The aroma of grilled meat and roasted vegetables wafted through the air, making everyone's mouths water. Arric sat at the head of the table with Eirika. Beside them were their guests: Aricel and his human girlfriend, Gwenna, Shadowclaw and his son Nigel, Zenesha and Arric's regular crowd: Bishop, Craineghis, Jimothy, Danny, Jeff, Jarom, and York, who was still recovering from his injuries with his mate; Dr. Michelle Riverclaw. There were also other alphas from smaller packs and black guards who were now the founding members of the enforcers. Arric raised his glass of w
The summit venue was decorated with colorful banners and flags representing each region and all packs. In the center was a circular stage, elevated to provide a better view to all attendees. The seating arrangement was divided by region, with each pack occupying a designated area. The Northern Packs were situated to the left, with Arric and his entourage taking up the front row. The Black Wolves, who controlled the transition zone between the North and East, were seated to the right. Alpha Aricel, who had taken over the Grimtooth Growlers Pack, and The Swiftfang Walkers Pack, occupied the second row, representing the West. Alpha Shadowclaw, who represented the Silvertooth Nightstalkers Pack and the South, was seated in the third row. The other smaller packs who wished to serve as witnesses were seated behind them. The expansive space was equipped with all the necessary amenities. There were comfortable chairs for the attendees, refreshment stands that served a variety of drinks
Bishop filled Arric in about the extent of York's injury. The stab wounds had caused severe damage to his kidney and thus had to undergo major surgery. Arric listened as Danny transported them to the East, his face lowered and his elbows resting on his knees. "Did they say how long it would take for him to get back on his feet?" Arric asked. "The doctors said a few weeks but then he is a werewolf," Eirika replied. Arric nodded. "He is going to be fine, Alpha," Bishop added. "He must, Bishop," Arric replied almost to himself. Everyone on the craft studied him with a compassionate gaze. "How did you two meet?" Eirika asked. "I met him not too long now… like four months? And it feels like I have known him my whole life…" Arric chuckled despite himself. "I met him when he was three years old," Arric replied. Eirika gasped. He nodded, giving her a side glance. "Now you know I'm an old man in a young man's body," he added. Aricel laughed. "That is something…" Eirika said with
"Tell me please…" he added in a fervent plea. "He is not out of the woods yet, but he's fighting, everyone is keeping vigil, praying…" she whispered against his chest. Arric let out a low growl. "I can't lose one more brother…" "I love you so much, Arric," she whispered. "I can't lose him too. The doctor said he could hear us, so I forbade him to leave us. I could almost hear him laughing, and teasing me," she said and then burst out crying. Arric tightened his hold around her, pressing a kiss to her hair. "Shh… it's okay, baby," he cooed, crying quietly too. Arric hadn't expected Bishop to be so daring to let her come to the blackguards' pack. He couldn’t believe that he would so blatantly disregard his orders but then having her there with him, holding her – his sweet, beautiful mate, and knowing she felt as strongly about his men as he did, made him feel happy. The storm that had been raging in him for the past hours calmed. He was almost in shock at her effect on him. "Why
"Get him out of here and take him to Councilwoman Charlotte Chapman!" Arric growled, not bothering to look at York. He had seen the blood and it kept streaming. He need not be told it was bad. He could feel it. "Boss," Bishop started to protest, torn between leaving him behind and trying at least to save York even if it was possible. "That's an order!" He yelled. His men exchanged glances and Bishop gestured to Dan to lower the craft. The five of them carried York's lifeless body into the aircraft. Arric caught Dan, looking at him through the side window. He turned away and faced the black guards. "Six… six fucking fighters was all it took to take down twenty fucking blackguards! None of you are leaving this ground until morning!" He yelled, compelling them to face off with him. As the aircraft lifted in the air, he blocked out the sound, allowing the sight of York's blood to fuel him as about ten black guards circled and rushed at him. *** Arric strode towards his old den,
"Zenesha…" Eirika tried to intervene, seeing the she-wolf was scaring Gwenna. "She needs to know, Luna. She needs to know the kind of life she would have. The kind of life she would be subjecting her pups to. If you ask me, I think it is irresponsible to get involved and have a family that would outlive you," Zenesha said, the pain and anguish in her voice were palpable. "Zenasha stop it!" Eirika snapped. The she-wolf startled backward as if just realizing she had said too much. "I - I'm sorry, Luna, Gwenna… I… " she said and started to stride away. "Stop!" Gwenna cried. Zenesha halted her strides with her fists clenched by her sides. Gwenna hurried to stand in front of the she-wolf, searching her gaze, and added, "Your mother was human?" "Yes, she was human," Zenesha replied with gritted teeth. "What happened? What happened to you?" the human asked in a soft, empathetic tone. The grounds grew quiet and Eirika thought the she-wolf wouldn't answer but then she said in almos
"Hey," Gwenna called, hurrying to join Zenesha and Eirika on their walk. The two had decided to go outdoors after a rather tense dinner with Alpha Aricel, and Marnet Darnald. Gwenna had chosen to eat in her room, sending one of the pack omegas to let Aricel know. Eirika wasn't completely sure of what was happening but she knew the redhead must be in the middle of it. Eirika exchanged glances with Zenesha, before reverting her gaze. Zenesha. who hadn't gotten over the human's betrayal, openly glared at her. Gwenna wore a long hooded cloak and her hair was packed up in a bun atop her head. A bandage covered her forehead and temple, wrapping around her head. There were ugly scratches around her neck and her throat was covered with a thin band-aid that was about four inches long. The thin strap matched her skin color, blending with her olive skin tone. One side of her face had turned blue-black, her left eye had a purple ring around it and she had a swollen and cracked lip. Eirik