Johnathan I didn't have to work too hard to convince Felicity to take Rose off my hands. She gave the girl a quick once over and declared. “You will stay in the night caves with us. We need a good day servant.” I cringed. That was not how I treated children, but I had very little choice left. Rose forced my hand. She hadn’t even been here two days yet, and she already started to wreak havoc. I gave it another week before my town resembled a war zone as the Alphas started to go to war over her. “How will you keep her contained?” I ask. “During the day.” Felicity winked at me. “Our familiars have all the power of vampires and none of our weaknesses. They can walk during the day and don’t crave blood.” “I kill them,” Rose said and jutted out her chin. "My magic strong." I expected Felicity to discipline the girl in some way, but the vampire only smiled indulgently. “You’re not the first of your kind that have crossed my path. Our familiars are under our control. You can't seduce the
JohnathanI wake to the sound of an unearthly howl. One I’ve heard many times in the past.Someone lost their fated mate.Preston.Wide awake, my heart pounding in my skull, I fall out of bed and search around for some trousers. Mara’s already up, pulling one of my t-shirts over her head. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t allow her to leave the room in just a shirt, but mine fits her like a dress, and I don't have the time to stop her anyway.She’s out of the room before I can even find my shorts.Gregory comes running into my room, his eyes wide, bottom lip quivering. “Susawah,” he says. “She’s cwying. I don’t know what to do, Daddy. Help me.”My son looks like the five-year-old he is. Small. Terrified. “It’s okay, buddy,” I say and pick him up. “Don’t be scared.”“Someone died,” he says. “I know, kiddo,” I answer as I run from the room with him in my arms.Susarah comes around the corner, her eyes red and swollen. “Who is it?” I ask, breathless with concern.“Chad.”“What? Ch
MaraI close the office door behind us and lead Preston to a chair. He’s in a complete daze. He withdrew into himself, going to a place deep inside where no one and nothing can hurt him. I know the look. I’ve seen it in the mirror many times.I sit on the armrest next to the Beta and take his hand in mine. “I’m sorry, Preston,” I say. "I didn't want her to... I didn't think she'd..." my words trail off. I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to say to make him feel better.He pulls his hand out of mine and leans forward, dropping his head in his palms. I can hear him sniffle, but he barely moves. “You warned me of the risks. This one is on me. I knew when she shifted that she was... I should have killed her, but I couldn't bring myself... and now Chad is dead. I deserve to die.”"No you don't," I say softly, and rub his back. "You didn't kill Chad.""I might as well have."I have nothing for him. Anything I say now will only make it worse. There are no words that can ease his pain an
JohnathanThe procession into the woods is quiet, reserved, and somewhat thoughtful. Rhoda offered to witness for the Omegas, as did Ingrid, the kitchen maid, and the Omega who wanted Preston dead. I made him come. If he’s so eager for death, he can experience it firsthand.I wish I left the shithead at home. He hasn't stopped talking since we left, condeming Ally the whole way. He's working my last nerve.I steer the rabid she-wolf deep into the woods, far away from my favourite places. I don’t want the memory of this day to haunt me forever, and if the Lycan scrolls I've read are to be believed, my forever is going to be a long, long time.Halfway to her place of execution, Ally starts to talk, shocking all of us into a standstill. “Who are you?” she asks in a small, terrified voice. “Where am I?”“Oh, the poor wee thing,” Ingrid exlaims softly and grasps her chest.“She is a murderer,” the only other male says. “She deserves-”“Shut the fuck up, Barry,” the kitchen maid says. “This
MaraPreston struggles free of my grasp, but Kahn manages to hold on to him. He pulls the Beta tightly against him, wrapping his arms and legs around the battling Lycan. And even then, the vampire still has to fight tooth and nail to hold on.The Beta is no longer just a wolf. His new strength is unbelievable and terrifying to behold.Preston is as white as the summer clouds that always float lazily along the blue sky. He’s covered in sweat, and biting so hard into his own lip that I’m afraid he’ll tear it clear off.He arches his back, nearly slipping from Kahn's grasp, and roars, “Let me go!”I try to take Preston’s hands again, but he twists free and continues to fight against Kahn. “My mate!” he screams, and his eyes flash dangerous. “I need to save my mate.”He is going to shift. Any moment now, he's going to shift and kill us. “Do the thing,” I say to Kahn.“What thing?” the vampire asks. His voice is remarkably calm and even.“The thing you did for Yarrick. When you touched him,
MaraTime slowly ticks by. I can’t seem to distract Gregory, and more than once he has a meltdown that leads to a lot of crying, screaming, kicking, and biting. The third time it happens, I sternly stop him, and hold on to him the same way Kahn held Preston. “I know you are very scared, but you can’t hurt other people because of how you feel.”“I want my daddy!” he screams at me and tries to wiggle free of my grasp“I know, big boy,” I say. “So do I, but do you see me kicking and screaming about it?”He tries to bit and scratch his way out of my arms, but I refuse to let him go. “Stop!” I say and remarkable feel the warmth of my aura slipping out. Gregory calms down and goes almost limp in my embrace. “I know you are feeling some big things right now. Scary things. Use your words. Tell me what scares you.”“What if Daddy’s dead?”“He’s not dead, sweetie,” I say. I put my head on his brow and start to hum a lullaby I remember from my childhood while I gently rock back and forth with hi
MaraIt’s a long walk to Johnathan’s mountains, and I’m not as fast as he is. By the time I reach the place, I’m exhausted and it’s full dark. It’s a clear, beautiful night, with the moon lighting my way. The air is crips and clean here, the stars beautiful and bright, the majesty of the universe laid out before me like a painting on the canvas.What a magnificent place.Here, I can’t see Haven’s Crest, or hear the sound of people partying in the brothels and nightclubs. I understand why Johnathan likes to come here. It’s peaceful. Like I’ve been wrapped in a bubble of warm quiet, calm.I stare up at the mountain’s sheer cliff. How the hell Johnathan can climb this thing is beyond my comprehension. There's no way to get to the top. Not that I can see anyway. I can feel him up there, though. His presence. But there’s no way I can reach him. He won't even answer my mind link.“Good evening, Queen,” an unknown voice says next to me.I squeal and jump to the left, away from the stranger
JohnathanThe only reason I decide to leave the mountain is because I can feel Mara waiting for me. Her emotions are carefully controlled, and she refuses to let the sadness in. She keeps it at bay, allowing it to nibble at the fringes of her mind, but all her attention is focused on me now. She's watching me. I can feel her eyes, even from a distance. Her concern is for me, not herself or the pack, or even my son.There have been moments throughout the day when I felt pangs and stabs of intense sorrow from her, and every time she purposefully pushed it all away. First so she could take care of Preston, then Gregory, the pack, and now me. She had a very busy day, doing my job, keeping everyone and everything together. And what did I do? I hid in the mountains like a proper fucking coward, wallowing in self-pity.Half an hour later, I find her at the foot of the mountain, sitting in a clearing with her legs outstretched, leaning on her hands, face turned to the moon. For now, she is
JohnathanIt’s business as usual at sunrise. The weekend is drawing to a close and our visitors are leaving, none of them even aware of the drama that unfolded around them over the weekend.I sit on the ridge overlooking the road, watching the humans leave. “We have to close the town,” I say to Kahn who decided to join me.“Those humans make sure that you have money. That your Omegas have jobs.”“They could be spies, assassins.” I don’t care about myself, but anyone who knows just a little about me, knows how much my son means to me. How much Mara means to me. They could just as easily kill them to get to me.Kahn snorts loudly. “No human would ever be able to get close enough.”“A sniper could.”“And kill you with what?”“A silver bullet.”Again the vampire lets out a derisive little snort. “Please. Nothing so pedestrian. It will take more than a little silver to kill you, Johnathan. They need to get closer than that.”“Her Mara’s vision, the super soldiers had no problem killing me
JohnathanThe only reason I decide to leave the mountain is because I can feel Mara waiting for me. Her emotions are carefully controlled, and she refuses to let the sadness in. She keeps it at bay, allowing it to nibble at the fringes of her mind, but all her attention is focused on me now. She's watching me. I can feel her eyes, even from a distance. Her concern is for me, not herself or the pack, or even my son.There have been moments throughout the day when I felt pangs and stabs of intense sorrow from her, and every time she purposefully pushed it all away. First so she could take care of Preston, then Gregory, the pack, and now me. She had a very busy day, doing my job, keeping everyone and everything together. And what did I do? I hid in the mountains like a proper fucking coward, wallowing in self-pity.Half an hour later, I find her at the foot of the mountain, sitting in a clearing with her legs outstretched, leaning on her hands, face turned to the moon. For now, she is
MaraIt’s a long walk to Johnathan’s mountains, and I’m not as fast as he is. By the time I reach the place, I’m exhausted and it’s full dark. It’s a clear, beautiful night, with the moon lighting my way. The air is crips and clean here, the stars beautiful and bright, the majesty of the universe laid out before me like a painting on the canvas.What a magnificent place.Here, I can’t see Haven’s Crest, or hear the sound of people partying in the brothels and nightclubs. I understand why Johnathan likes to come here. It’s peaceful. Like I’ve been wrapped in a bubble of warm quiet, calm.I stare up at the mountain’s sheer cliff. How the hell Johnathan can climb this thing is beyond my comprehension. There's no way to get to the top. Not that I can see anyway. I can feel him up there, though. His presence. But there’s no way I can reach him. He won't even answer my mind link.“Good evening, Queen,” an unknown voice says next to me.I squeal and jump to the left, away from the stranger
MaraTime slowly ticks by. I can’t seem to distract Gregory, and more than once he has a meltdown that leads to a lot of crying, screaming, kicking, and biting. The third time it happens, I sternly stop him, and hold on to him the same way Kahn held Preston. “I know you are very scared, but you can’t hurt other people because of how you feel.”“I want my daddy!” he screams at me and tries to wiggle free of my grasp“I know, big boy,” I say. “So do I, but do you see me kicking and screaming about it?”He tries to bit and scratch his way out of my arms, but I refuse to let him go. “Stop!” I say and remarkable feel the warmth of my aura slipping out. Gregory calms down and goes almost limp in my embrace. “I know you are feeling some big things right now. Scary things. Use your words. Tell me what scares you.”“What if Daddy’s dead?”“He’s not dead, sweetie,” I say. I put my head on his brow and start to hum a lullaby I remember from my childhood while I gently rock back and forth with hi
MaraPreston struggles free of my grasp, but Kahn manages to hold on to him. He pulls the Beta tightly against him, wrapping his arms and legs around the battling Lycan. And even then, the vampire still has to fight tooth and nail to hold on.The Beta is no longer just a wolf. His new strength is unbelievable and terrifying to behold.Preston is as white as the summer clouds that always float lazily along the blue sky. He’s covered in sweat, and biting so hard into his own lip that I’m afraid he’ll tear it clear off.He arches his back, nearly slipping from Kahn's grasp, and roars, “Let me go!”I try to take Preston’s hands again, but he twists free and continues to fight against Kahn. “My mate!” he screams, and his eyes flash dangerous. “I need to save my mate.”He is going to shift. Any moment now, he's going to shift and kill us. “Do the thing,” I say to Kahn.“What thing?” the vampire asks. His voice is remarkably calm and even.“The thing you did for Yarrick. When you touched him,
JohnathanThe procession into the woods is quiet, reserved, and somewhat thoughtful. Rhoda offered to witness for the Omegas, as did Ingrid, the kitchen maid, and the Omega who wanted Preston dead. I made him come. If he’s so eager for death, he can experience it firsthand.I wish I left the shithead at home. He hasn't stopped talking since we left, condeming Ally the whole way. He's working my last nerve.I steer the rabid she-wolf deep into the woods, far away from my favourite places. I don’t want the memory of this day to haunt me forever, and if the Lycan scrolls I've read are to be believed, my forever is going to be a long, long time.Halfway to her place of execution, Ally starts to talk, shocking all of us into a standstill. “Who are you?” she asks in a small, terrified voice. “Where am I?”“Oh, the poor wee thing,” Ingrid exlaims softly and grasps her chest.“She is a murderer,” the only other male says. “She deserves-”“Shut the fuck up, Barry,” the kitchen maid says. “This
MaraI close the office door behind us and lead Preston to a chair. He’s in a complete daze. He withdrew into himself, going to a place deep inside where no one and nothing can hurt him. I know the look. I’ve seen it in the mirror many times.I sit on the armrest next to the Beta and take his hand in mine. “I’m sorry, Preston,” I say. "I didn't want her to... I didn't think she'd..." my words trail off. I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to say to make him feel better.He pulls his hand out of mine and leans forward, dropping his head in his palms. I can hear him sniffle, but he barely moves. “You warned me of the risks. This one is on me. I knew when she shifted that she was... I should have killed her, but I couldn't bring myself... and now Chad is dead. I deserve to die.”"No you don't," I say softly, and rub his back. "You didn't kill Chad.""I might as well have."I have nothing for him. Anything I say now will only make it worse. There are no words that can ease his pain an
JohnathanI wake to the sound of an unearthly howl. One I’ve heard many times in the past.Someone lost their fated mate.Preston.Wide awake, my heart pounding in my skull, I fall out of bed and search around for some trousers. Mara’s already up, pulling one of my t-shirts over her head. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t allow her to leave the room in just a shirt, but mine fits her like a dress, and I don't have the time to stop her anyway.She’s out of the room before I can even find my shorts.Gregory comes running into my room, his eyes wide, bottom lip quivering. “Susawah,” he says. “She’s cwying. I don’t know what to do, Daddy. Help me.”My son looks like the five-year-old he is. Small. Terrified. “It’s okay, buddy,” I say and pick him up. “Don’t be scared.”“Someone died,” he says. “I know, kiddo,” I answer as I run from the room with him in my arms.Susarah comes around the corner, her eyes red and swollen. “Who is it?” I ask, breathless with concern.“Chad.”“What? Ch
Johnathan I didn't have to work too hard to convince Felicity to take Rose off my hands. She gave the girl a quick once over and declared. “You will stay in the night caves with us. We need a good day servant.” I cringed. That was not how I treated children, but I had very little choice left. Rose forced my hand. She hadn’t even been here two days yet, and she already started to wreak havoc. I gave it another week before my town resembled a war zone as the Alphas started to go to war over her. “How will you keep her contained?” I ask. “During the day.” Felicity winked at me. “Our familiars have all the power of vampires and none of our weaknesses. They can walk during the day and don’t crave blood.” “I kill them,” Rose said and jutted out her chin. "My magic strong." I expected Felicity to discipline the girl in some way, but the vampire only smiled indulgently. “You’re not the first of your kind that have crossed my path. Our familiars are under our control. You can't seduce the