“Stupid fucking whore!” Mike yells while kicking my mother for the tenth time. “I’m gonna kill you!”“Dad!” I scream while grabbing his arm. “Please, don’t,”Mike pushes me away, and I land on the floor with a thud. Mike is a huge man, tall and built. His dark eyes are almost black, showing the evil within, and he’s so damn ugly; I swear, he was hit with the ugly stick; one too many times.I hate the man who fathered me with every fibre of my being. If it weren’t for my need to stay and protect my mum and sister, I would have left long ago.I have to wonder how Mike can so easily fool those around him while torturing his family on a daily basis.My eyes meet my baby sister as she peaks out from her hiding place behind the sofa.I shake my head when she moves to run to Mum. I cannot let anything happen to Jessie; Mum would be heartbroken. Mike wouldn’t think twice about killing my three-year-old sister.‘Jessie, don’t move!’ I yell through our mind link.‘But Mummy,’‘I know, I’m going
I snatch my mobile phone from my pocket, thankful that Mike had never realised I had it. A friend gave it to me last week after I told them Mike never allowed me to have one. She was worried about me and told me to call if I needed help. I need help now more than I ever have, so I pull up Frankie’s number, praying she’ll answer.“Mel, is everything okay?” Frankie knows I would only call if I needed help; that’s why she sounds so worried.Frankie is a member of Silver Paw, the Gamma’s daughter. We met officially a few weeks ago, which is crazy when we’ve both lived here our whole lives. She befriended me, even though I didn’t understand why; no one had ever wanted to be my friend before. Frankie seemed to have a gift for knowing when something was wrong, and she got me to open up easily.She gave me the phone last week after I confided in Frankie that I needed to get my mum and sister away from here. Frankie wanted to take me straight to Lorcan and Gianna and have me tell them everythi
I sit nervously in the chair in front of Alpha Leander’s desk. Jessie rests her head on my chest with her legs on either side of my waist, and I gently rub her back.It didn’t take as long as I thought it would to arrive at Greenrock, but too long at the same time. I was so worried about Mum and Mike realising we’d gone and come after us that I almost threw up a couple of times.Mum was taken straight to the infirmary, but Jessie and I weren’t allowed to follow. Of course, I protested, but Kit told me it was for the best. Mum needs to be taken care of, which can’t happen with her children there.We were then ushered into the Alpha’s office by his Beta. Kit explained what he knew to Leander and asked that he allow us to stay. Kit said he’d explain everything to Alpha Lorcan, but Leander was displeased. He said Kit should have informed Lorcan right away. Perhaps he should have, but Kit wanted to get us out of Silver Paw asap.As Leander now stares at me, I know what he’s going to ask, b
Leander shifts in his seat. “Did your mother’s wolf never fight back?”I cough a little, scared of what Leander will think when I tell him the truth.“My mother isn’t a wolf.”Leander squints his eyes. “She’s human?”I shake my head. “No, she isn’t human. I found out when I was five that my mother is a hybrid. She has a wolf, but she’s also a feline.”“Wait, what?” Sara gasps. “You’re mother is a feline shifter?”“Yes, a Lion shifter.”“Wow.”“How is that your mother happened to mate with a wolf? That doesn’t even make any sense.”I shrug my shoulders.“I really don’t know; I just remember my father screaming how my mother would never find her way back to the King of Lions. I’ve never seen my mother shift into her animal form. She told me she had a wolf but was too weak to shift. With what Mike said about the King of Lions, I assumed Mike meant that Mum was also a lion.”Leander and Sara seem to be mind-linking, so I sit quietly for a moment.I sigh just as Jessie lifts, sniffing the
“I didn’t know Lorcan was coming today.”I shrug my shoulders at Adam because I didn’t know either. My uncle Lorcan isn’t one for dropping by unannounced unless it’s an emergency. As Dad didn’t mention anything, and Lorcan is smiling at the little girl in his arms, I’m clueless.“I wonder who the kid is,”“Yeah,” Adam answers me, seeming miles away.Adam is my father’s cousin; their fathers are brothers. The man is your typical tall, dark and handsome prick. He holds himself like a wolf, dresses like a vampire, and has eyes women seem to get lost in. Dad always said that had more to do with Adam’s ability to hypnotise people than women falling at his feet.Not to be confused with Adam forcing anyone to be with him, he would never do that. Although, Adam is known for hypnotising people to watch them make fools of themselves for fun.Weirdo.I’ve always felt sorry for Adam, he may look to be in his twenties, but he’s, in fact, in his fifties. Adam is the same age as my father, but Adam
“Adam!” I yell after him as he walks with purpose, but he doesn’t listen.“Adam, what’s wrong with you?” Dad asks.Adam stares at Lorcan, eyes still wolfed over, chest heaving. “Give me what’s mine,” He mumbles.Lorcan narrows his eyes. “What are you talking about? I don’t have anything that’s yours.”“Come to me, little one.” Adam holds his arms out to the child, who giggles while jumping out of Lorcan’s arms and into Adam’s.Dad, Lorcan and I all stare open-mouthed as the child lays her little hand on Adam’s face. He smiles, eyes returning to their usual brown.“What the hell is going on?” Lorcan looks at Dad while asking the question, but Dad shrugs his shoulders.“Hello, Daddy,” The little girl says, causing us all to gasp.“What the hell?!” Lorcan bellows.“Hello, Jessie,” Adam replies while pressing his forehead to the child’s.When he finally pulls away, he presses a kiss on her forehead. She giggles, then lies her head on his shoulder.“Adam, what the hell?”Adam lovingly stro
“Give her to me right now!” I snatch Jessie from the stranger’s arms.He hisses at me, eyes turning red and scaring the shit out of me.I take a step back with Jessie in my arms.I sat down for ten minutes because Luna Gianna made me. I came out for some fresh air to find that Lorcan had passed Jessie off to a stranger. Now they’re all looking at me like I’m in the wrong!How do they think I’d react?I’m too shaken to acknowledge my wolf yelling ‘Mate’ inside my head. Goddess, I hope this stranger isn’t my mate; he’s scary!“Hand back my child, girl.”Oh, Goddess, even his voice is bone-chilling!Wait. . . “Your child?” I look from the stranger to Jessie.She cups my cheeks and giggles. “This is my daddy, Mel.”“What?”Jessie kisses my cheek and then reaches for her father, who takes her with a smile.“Melinda,” I turn to look at Lorcan. “This is Adam, my cousin and your mother’s mate.”I look closely at Adam, realising that he’s the handsome stranger who swept my mother off her feet.
Adam and I arrive, and the doctor tells us to take a seat. They’re doing some tests on Mum, but we can go in shortly.Jessie has fallen asleep in Adam’s arms, and I smile to see how contented she looks.“You should give Jai a chance, you know?” Adam tells me after a moment of silence.I ignore what he said about giving Jai a chance.“What kind of a name is Jai, anyway?”Adam chuckles.“His mother liked the name. When he was growing up, people called him Jay. He’d get annoyed and tell them, ‘My name is Jai - like J-eye, like Kai, but with a J.’ People knew his name, but they liked how annoyed he got.” Adam laughs to himself.Okay, so Jai, like Kai, but with a J. As names go, it’s not a bad one; I think it suits him.“Are you going to forgive my mother?” I ask instead of replying to what Adam just said.Adam sighs. “She rejected me, Melinda.”“She didn’t want to,” I admit. “Mike is not a nice man, Adam. He kidnapped my mother from her pack when she was fifteen years old. He tortured her
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