Jaxon’s POV"Dusk. Ayla. Rubeus. You're early.""Well, we wanted to pay our respects to Luna Sienna as well," Ayla says, stepping out of the forest’s shadows with the two men at her side.Dusk keeps trying to peek past my shoulder to look at Melanie, but I meet his gaze with an icy glare. He smirks, his cold, blue eyes flashing with mischief as he holds my stare. "I didn't know your Beta needed a bodyguard," he teases.Melanie huffs and moves to push past me, but I grab her wrist. "Don't," I growl, keeping my eyes locked on Dusk. Shadow’s instincts surge through my veins, urging me to protect our mate.It's hard to control Shadow when we're both riled up, but I manage to restrain him enough to avoid shifting and risk injuring Melanie. Rage bubbles beneath the surface, making my body vibrate. If either of the Council members make a wrong move, I’ll kill them instantly, no questions asked.Melanie stares at me wide-eyed as she pulls her wrist out from my grip and squeezes my hand. "Hey,
Jaxon's POVBefore Melanie can respond, Ayla walks over to me and touches her fingertips to my forehead. She's searching through my memories for anything related to Melanie’s gift.Just great. “Get your hands off me,” I growl, grabbing her wrist. “If you need to know something, ask. Don’t go rummaging through my head like it’s your personal library.”Her eyes narrow to glowing slits. “This is faster, Alpha,” she replies in a sickly-sweet voice. She's silent for a few minutes before turning to her creepy crew. "Hmm, that's interesting. Damon's Alpha aura doesn't affect her, but Jaxon's does.""W-What the hell did you just do to him?" Melanie demands."That's her gift. She can see and manipulate memories," I explain, since the rest of them are just staring at her. It’s really pissing me the fuck off."Oh." She nods once in acknowledgment."This could be your gift," Ayla continues, her voice laced with excitement. It makes the muscles in my jaw twitch. My mate isn't some shiny new toy fo
Jaxon's POVMelanie, Dusk, and Rubeus all look in our direction, but Ayla waves dismissively.Turning back to me, she smirks, clearly amused by the reaction. "That's what I thought. You should do a better job at hiding the way you look at her. It’s creepy.”I let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "Like you can talk." Don't get me wrong the woman is gorgeous, but she's probably something you would see during a sleep paralysis attack."You know, we're not your enemy, Jaxon,” Ayla says."You are when you're trying to take what belongs to me," I growl.Ayla’s expression darkens. "This is her destiny. Besides, you think she’ll settle for being your Beta when she has Alpha blood running through her veins? Her wolf will be pulling her to join us soon enough."I frown at the thought. I know she's right, but at the same time, I refuse to accept it. I'll do anything to keep her here by my side. To make her mine."And if she doesn't want to leave?" I ask, the question forced through clenched teeth.A
Mel’s POVAs a pack, we hunt deer, bears, and bobcats for the Omegas to prepare for dinner. I don’t hunt directly, but I help drag the animals back to the packhouse. After everyone rinses off in the river, we meet in the dining hall for the feast. The last time we were here, my mom was alive, and my dad hadn’t completely lost his mind. So, sitting in the same spots they did really put me in my feelings."Waitress, I need more champagne!" I call out as she passes by our table again. She hands me a glass, but I shake my head. "You know what, just leave the whole damn tray.""Yes, Beta." She places all six glasses on the table in front of me."Slow down," Jaxon orders sternly.I shoot him a look and roll my eyes. "Kiss my ass, Jaxon.""You'll pay for that later," I hear him mutter under his breath, but I ignore him.The first course has barely started, but I'm already six or seven drinks in. I'm glad Elinda took the girls home early. I wouldn’t want Moon to see me like this—this broken, u
Mel's POVI clear my throat, feeling the alcohol loosening my restraint. “This one’s for my mom,” I announce, my slurred voice booming through the room. Then, I start singing the lyrics to “Rain” by Sleep Token—loudly and likely off-key. Who fucking cares.I feel Jaxon’s heated gaze on me, but he doesn’t make an effort to stop me. The crowd watches, some in shock, many grimacing—all the old, cranky farts. I grab Elder Gregory’s hand, singing in his face, watching while his expression twists in disgust. I hear Patrick burst out laughter, while Bliss quietly scolds him for encouraging me.I start head banging to the beat in my head, and as I cross the stage, I almost trip over my own feet. “Oh shit, that was a close one,” I say loudly into the microphone, then keep singing like my life depends on it. Maybe, just maybe, it’s what I need to finally let go of all the anger, the grief weighing heavily on my heart.Some of the younger crowd, those who know the band, start singing along, wavin
Mel's POVMalcom? Where have I heard that name before? I chew on my lip, trying to remember. "Pat's friend, Malcom?" I ask, my eyes widening with realization."Yeah, that's me,” he nods."Sorry, I didn't mean to stand you up,” I mumble, suddenly feeling guilty. “As you can see, I've had a lot going on lately.”Like the champagne-fueled emotional breakdown I just had. Malcom chuckles lightly. "Oh yeah, I'm not holding anything against you," he replies. "Anyways, I heard you're training the new recruits tomorrow. I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other."He sounds eager; excited. Shit, maybe I should be too."Wow, that's cool! I don't remember seeing you in high school" I admit quietly.He shrugs. "I remember you. You graduated early, so you probably only saw the awkward, pre-puberty version of me."He smiles again and I feel a slow blush creeping up my cheeks. I giggle, way too high-pitched, like a damn schoolgirl. Ugh, why am I so awkward? I never act this way around Jaxon."Oh ye
Mel's POVHe slams the door shut behind us, the echo reverberating off the tiled walls. He pushes me towards the granite sink, planting my hands on the counter. I feel the cool edge against my palms as he bends me over, my ass poking out for him."Jaxon-" I protest, but he cuts me off, his voice low and menacing.“You’ve been a bad girl tonight,” he growls, leaning close enough that I can feel his hot breath on my neck. “You think you can just act however you want without consequences?”I try to stand, but he presses me back down, his hand firm on my shoulders. He yanks my dress up, and I hear the loud tearing of fabric as he snatches my panties off."His scent is on you.” I look into the mirror and those dark, silver eyes are glaring back at me with malicious intent. I should be trembling, running away, or screaming, but instead, I'm wet for him. The anticipation of him burying himself inside of me just for mentioning another is too much.What the fuck is wrong with me? "Well...I did
Mel's POVI watch as he quickly undoes his belt and uses it to tie my hands together, leaving me completely at his mercy. There's a chance I could've broken the hold of his hands, but this belt is tight and secure. Knotting his hand in my hair, he yanks my head back so I'm looking at our reflection in the mirror. "I'm done with the games, I'm taking MY pussy now," he snarls.I smile smugly. "I thought you said you don't fuck bad girls?""Hmm, I've decided I'll just fuck the bad girl out of you." He spreads my legs farther apart with his knee. "But if it becomes too much for you, tell me to stop, okay?"That's the only warning I get before he impales me with his dick. I cry out as he fucks me hard and fast, his grip firm on my neck, keeping me in place. He leans forward to lick and suck on my neck.My first orgasm arrives within minutes. I scream as I cream all over him, my clit swollen, sensitive and pulsating. He only slows down momentarily before his thrusts pick back up in speed. He