“You okay, baby?”I nod my head at Michael, the love of my life, as he sits beside me on the couch. After what happened today with Melinda, I needed Michael to hold me.Michael and I have been best friends our whole lives. We've been dating for the past two years, and we confessed our love on my sixteenth birthday.Mum and Dad weren't happy when they found out. They weren't because they were worried about what would happen to Michael and me when we found our mates. I argued that Michael and I might be mates. Dad said that could happen, but what if it didn't?I told Dad if that were to happen, Michael and I would reject those who were our mates. Nothing, not even destined mates, would stop us from being together.Mum then argued that the mate bond would be stronger than the love Michael and I thought we had. Neither of us would be able to fight fate.What if our mates refused to accept the rejection?What if they accepted and the rejection killed us?I yelled how I'd make whoever my ma
“Jai, I'm fine. Please stop fussing.”I stop tucking the blankets around Melinda and sit beside her on our bed. Melinda had me worried there for a while. When she passed out, I rushed her to the infirmary. Richie checked her over and told me Melinda was fine and that she'd wake within minutes. Teleporting had taken a lot out of her, and she just needed rest.Melinda did wake up; then she explained what happened in town. She'd been terrified to see Mike watching her, and I was livid. How the hell the man had even gotten onto Greenrock territory was beyond me. No outside should be able to gain access without the Alpha's permission!Melinda had no clue she could teleport, but she felt she needed to grab Stella, and all would be well. Of course, she did teleport, and she brought my baby sister home.We're all baffled as to why this happened, and Anja will be here in the morning. Hopefully, she can spread some light on things.I hadn't even checked on Stella yet; I was too worried about my
Melinda and I woke early, showered and changed. We ate breakfast, though Melinda didn't eat much. As soon as Stella came into the room, Melinda hugged her hard. I hugged Stella, too and asked if she was okay. Stella is resilient, and with Michael by her side, I knew she'd be fine.Anja and Orrin arrived early, looking like film stars as always. Anja was wearing a navy blue dress that moulded to her curves, making her look like a classic model. Orrin wore a suit to match Anja's dress, and I chuckled to myself. They're always the same.At least my parents only do things like that if we're going to a ball. Today, Mum is wearing black trousers with a light pink blouse, and Dad is wearing a grey suit.My beautiful mate is wearing dark blue jeans and a dark green shirt. She mumbled how underdressed she was the moment she saw Anja. I chuckled and assured Melinda she looked beautiful.I'm wearing all black, slacks, and a button-down shirt with the top two buttons open. I hate things around my
I feel stronger than I ever have!Oh my, Goddess, I have a lioness!I'm just like Mum and Jessie, and I can't wait to tell Mum when I see her. My lioness is as white as snow, just like Mum and her father. I can't believe it; I really can't! I don't know what Anja did to awaken Snowbelle when I thought it would never happen, but I have to thank her.I wonder if Adonis will still think of me as an abomination. Perhaps he won't want me dead now I have a lioness. Somehow, though, I doubt it. The man hates me.'Grandfather is set in his ways, Melinda.' Even while I'm in wolf form, Snowbelle is still speaking to me. It'll take some getting used to, but I don't mind one little bit. 'Adonis will come to you in time.''Yeah, to kill me.''No, Melinda, have a little faith.'I cut Snowbelle off and continue running. Jai and I have been running in wolf form for the past hour. It feels incredible; we haven't done this in days, not since we were at the cabin. I'm not worried that Jai thinks I'm odd
For over three years, I’ve had the same dream about the same woman. She’s beautiful beyond compare, with eyes of icy blue, the whitest teeth I’ve ever seen, tanned skin, and long brown hair. She’s my mate, yet I’ve never met her in real life.One night, when I was fifteen, I fell asleep as usual, only to have the strangest dream. I met a woman who shot me the most beautiful smile. I told her my name, and she gave me hers, but we couldn’t speak our surnames or pack names. Each time we tried, it was as if our hearing had stopped working. It was strange, but it was a dream, so it didn’t matter.Every night I dreamed of this woman named River. I felt myself falling for her a little more each night. Then one night, River began to cry, and I didn’t understand why.Hadn’t we been having the best time?Didn’t she feel the way I felt?No, it couldn’t be that because I knew River loved me. The way she looked at me, kissed me, and even just cuddling with me proved that.I touched River’s beautifu
“Drew, you need to accept that you’re the Alpha of Crimson Shadow. There’s not a damn thing you or I can do to change that.”Drew stuffs the last of his clothes into his suitcase and slams it shut.Tomorrow, Drew, Melinda and I are leaving for our new pack. The renovations Drew ordered have been completed in record time. Thankfully, because the two weeks Orrin gave Drew to get used to things is up.It wasn’t the best meeting the day Melinda found her lioness. She and I showered together that day after finally seeing each other naked for the first time in the forest. Melinda had grown so bold and wanted us to shower together.Okay, we still haven’t mated, and we haven’t touched each other sexually. But we kissed in that shower as if we’d die if we didn’t. Goddess, it took all that I am to control Cadmus. He wanted to mark Melinda right there and then.My father mind-linked me to let me know Orrin wanted Drew and me in Dad’s office. I had to leave Melinda in our room because I couldn’t
“You look busy.” I smile at Melinda as she looks up at me. She zips up the yellow suitcase she was packing when I walked through the bedroom door.Melinda drags the suitcase off the bed and sets it with the others beneath the window.“Just thought I’d finish the packing while you were with Drew. I know you said we could finish the last little bit in the morning. But after my shower, I couldn’t settle. I knew I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep without it being done, so I did it.”I shake my head and chuckle.I pull her into my arms and kiss her softly. “I would have finished the packing; you didn’t need to bother.”Melinda laughs. “Yeah, right. You said that every day for a week.”She’s right; I did. I wouldn’t say I’m lazy, but I do tend to put things like packing off until the last minute. I hate packing, hence why I put it off as much as I do. However, I didn’t mean for Melinda to think she should do it all alone.“So I did. Thank you, beautiful.”“You’re welcome, handsome. Is everyt
'Melinda,'Someone whispering my name rouses me from my sleep. I look around the darkened room, my eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness. I don't see anyone other than Jai asleep next to me.I smile because I can't help myself. My mate loves me; regardless of where I came from and who my father is, Jai loves me. The Goddess above knows that I love him too.'Melinda.'There's that voice again.Am I going crazy?'You're not crazy, and I mean you no harm.''Who are you? What do you want?' I speak through my mind because that's how whoever this woman is is talking to me.How can this woman speak with me and hear me as if we have a mind link?'Who I am will become clear soon enough. Meet me at the edge of the forest.''Why on Earth would I do that?''Because I have the answer to all your problems, including your father. Meet me, and all will be well.'Perhaps I'm asleep?Yeah, that's what this is; I'm asleep and dreaming.But what would it hurt to meet this woman if that's the case?I gent
Drew asked me to help Violet today, and I was happy to do so. I like Violet; she's a sweet girl and incredibly innocent. Drew and Jai had a meeting, and I wasn't needed. Jai apologised, but there was no need. I understand that Jai will have meetings and things to do that don't involve me sometimes; it comes with being a Beta. I kissed him and smiled before walking away.I took Violet's size in clothes and sent someone to go shopping for everything she'd need. Jai wants me to stay within the bounds in case Mike shows up. I agree with him because I'm not stupid, and I don't want to face that man unawares. I don't want him catching me out the way he did at Greenrock.Violet has today off work. Drew told her to settle in and then start her new position tomorrow. The girl couldn't stop banging on about how great Drew was for half an hour! He gave her a house, money, and the position of head housekeeper. I couldn't help but smile at her and feel proud of Drew. He's already an incredible Alp
An hour later, after breakfast, I fill Drew in on what Melinda learned from Sally. Melinda isn't with me; she's helping Viola sort stuff at her new home. Actually, Drew requested Melinda's help as Violet was struggling to find anybody who cared.It angered me when Drew told me how the pack treats Violet. That poor girl doesn't deserve to be so mistreated. I wanted to confront the pack, but Drew informed me he'd allowed Dane to handle it. Dane had been ordered to let all pack members know death would come for them should they disrespect Violet again.“This is a fucking mess, Jai.”“I know, but she's my mate, Drew. I have to do everything I can to help her end this.”“Of course you do; only an idiot wouldn't.”“Yeah, and I'm not an idiot.” I chuckle.“Matter of opinion.”I narrow my eyes playfully while growling at him.Cheeky prick!Drew smiles. “I see you finally completed the mating process.” He points to the mark on my neck, proudly on show, thanks to leaving the two top buttons of
I can't stop looking at Melinda as she sleeps peacefully beside me. Last night was the best night of my life, bar none. Melinda, dressed in that sexy underwear and looking like a Goddess, will never leave me. I had no idea she'd bought such scantily clad things while out with Stella.The way she took charge turned me on like nothing before. Goddess, I almost died!I'm not going to pretend I've never orgasmed in my life, I'm a man, and masturbating is a done thing once you're a teenager. Well, it was for me. I didn't see anything wrong with it, even though my grandmother once laughed about saving myself for my mate.I was fourteen, and she embarrassed me like no one ever has before or will again. I don't believe she knew what I'd done fifteen minutes prior in my bathroom. Faye was simply explaining to my brother and me how important it was not to be with other girls because our mates would be upset, just as we would if they'd been with others.Damien took Faye's words literally and bel
I reluctantly pull out of the most passionate kiss we’ve ever shared. With a smirk on my face, I slip my arms behind my back, unstrap my bra, remove it, and then toss it to the floor. I smile as Jai’s eyes widen, my nipples pebble, and I want him to touch me.“Touch me, please, Jai.”Slowly, Jai slides his hands along my stomach, and my belly clenches while my pussy gushes. I’d be embarrassed, but the growl of desire from Jai only makes me wetter.“I can smell your arousal, baby girl.”“It’s all for you,” I whisper while stroking the back of his head.Finally, Jai cups my small breasts in his hands, and I can’t help groaning as he slides his thumbs over my erect nipples. My head drops back of its own accord.As Jai’s hot mouth decends on my right breast, I cry out in pleasure. The feeling of his tongue lapping at my nipple is almost too much.I grab the back of Jai’s neck and drop my head to his shoulder with a whimper. The sensations rushing through me, heightened by the mate bond, h
I am so nervous right now, yet excited at the same time. Tonight is the night I give myself to Jai, not because he's pressured me in any way; he hasn't; in fact, he's done anything but. However, I feel the time is right, and I'm one hundred per cent ready for this.I might not know a lot about sex because I have no personal experience. But I know that it's okay to be a little scared of what's to come.I've never seen a penis in my life, apart from Jai's. Even then, I didn't see him standing and only looked for a second. It's intimidating thinking about Jai's penis, what he'll do with it, and what he'll do to me. But I can't think badly when I know Jai would never hurt me.I want Jai and I to complete the mate bond. This isn't even to do with what Sally said about me needing the mate bond. It's because I love him; I don't have one single doubt in my mind that Jai is my world. My mate is perfect, and he never asks me to do anything I'm not comfortable with. He always puts me first and t
Ten minutes later, I’m sitting behind my desk in my office. Much like every other room, the office has been completely redecorated. The walls are pale grey, and the desk, bookcase, etc., are dark mahogany. The sofa on the other side of the room is black, and the rug matches; even the wooden flooring is dark.There’s also a massive portrait of Lana and me sitting proudly on the wall to my right. I like to see my mate, no matter the room I’m in. I can’t have her in the physical yet, so pictures will have to do for now.Violet sits in the chair in front of my desk, fidgeting with her fingers. Poor kid; Goddess only knows what Kyle put her through as a pack slave. I don’t even want to think about it, if I’m honest.“Violet, can you look at me, please?”Dark, almost black eyes look into mine. I narrow my eyes a little because her eyes seem to lighten and darken now and again. It may have something to do with her mood. It’s not like I haven’t seen eyes like Violet’s before; my grandmother’s
I wake up alone, much like every morning for the past ten months. Alone without Lana, my mate, the love of my life. The only difference today is that I wake up as Alpha of Crimson Shadow Pack. I woke up in a strange packhouse, in a bed I'd never shared with Lana.The only thing that settles me enough to sleep some is Lana's pillow and the last nightdress she wore in my presence. Her scent is still on them, even if it is fading.Goddess, I miss my mate so much I can barely breathe, and it doesn't get any easier as the days pass.I drag myself out of bed, shower, brush my teeth, and dress for the day ahead. I decided on a navy suit and tie, a black dress shirt, and black dress shoes. I comb my hair, splash on some aftershave, and look at myself in the mirror. My hazel eyes have long since lost their sparkle.I lift the crystal-encrusted photo frame from my dresser. I smile at the image smiling back at me, and I stroke my finger down Lana's cheek and sigh.“I miss you so much, baby.”'I m
I lead Melinda over to the sofa on the other side of the room. We sit side by side, hand in hand.“What's wrong, Jai?”“I need to speak to you about last night.” Melinda stares at me, unblinking. “Last night, while I slept, you teleported out of the room and ended up at the forest's edge.”“Oh,” Melinda sighs. “How did you find out?”“Drew woke me up and told me where you were.” I stroke my thumb over her knuckles. “I spoke to you, but you didn't answer. You seemed to be asleep; your eyes were glazed over. Why didn't you tell me you were having problems enough to sleepwalk?”“I wasn't sleepwalking, Jai.” She sighs again, lets go of my hand and gets out of her seat. She bites the pad of her thumb while pacing.I stand and take her hand in mine. “What is it, Melinda? What aren't you telling me?”“I was going to tell you, Jai, I promise.”“Tell me what?” I take her face in my hands. “Baby, what's going on?”“Last night, I heard a woman whisper my name,” Melinda explains the events of las
There's a recreation room where pack members, warriors, etc., can hang out during breaks. Not that Drew wants a bunch of wolves here at the same time.The dining room is humongous, with a long solid oak dining table with fifty chairs surrounding it! Shit, this place is something else. The light fixtures alone look as though they cost a fortune, let alone the medieval-looking wall lights. Goddess, it's all so magnificent!The French doors at the back of the room lead to a private garden. It's beyond anything I ever imagined. There's a barbeque section, an archway that leads to a pool, and even an outdoor bar. But the flowers are immense!I don't know what the packhouse looked like before Drew had it renovated, but I doubt it was anything like this. Every room smells of fresh paint, and they're so clean. The decorators really did an excellent job.Finally, Drew leads us to the upper level of the house. He doesn't show us every room but explains each bedroom imitates the next. They all h