LUCY
I debated not coming, but Treena promised I would not regret it. I sat by the edge of the waterfall, watching as the sun began to leave the sky. I had to reject Alpha Killian. I could not be mated to such a cruel man. I had to keep it together. He was so delicious it took my breath away, but I convinced myself it was just the mate bond playing tricks on my mind. I'm a Bennet Wolf. I could have abilities he would take for granted and use to gain power. How could the moon goddess get it so wrong! Or maybe this is my punishment for killing that hiker. That day still haunts me, the blood, the fear, the anguish.
I was pulled from my thoughts when I heard the sexy voice again!
"Hello, Lucy." I turned to see him. He was wearing a button-down navy-coloured dress shirt tucked into dark jeans that hugged his body perfectly. I closed my eyes and took a breath.
"I Lucy Bennet....." before I could finish, Killian smashed his lips onto mine. I couldn't h
Ellen POV I heard Lanie cry out in pain, and it radiated through me like I was feeling it too. I reached for Maddox but forgot he was on patrol hours away near the border. I ran down the eight flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator, hoping I was fast enough. I wasn't. Anna was in total control. I saw more fear than rage in her eyes. I went to spell Anna to sleep, but Aunt Bonnie said to let her feel her emotions. If we always stepped in, she would never learn for herself. Axel was trying to calm Anna, get her to breathe before he could touch her, but she was shot with something, and Lanie fell to the ground. The wolfsbane worked more like poison than a tranquillizer. Anna was fading. I watched as Axel watched her eyes go slack, and that's when the tether holding Axel's self-control and calm demeanour snapped. Axel lost all control killing the guard with the tranquillizer gun. Before I could even open my mouth to speak, he killed another guard, and the
Alpha Killian called a pack meeting. There was a lot that needed to be explained. Though rumours painted Alpha Killian to be ruthless and cruel, he was an understanding and patient Alpha to his pack; Maddox, his Beta and best friend since diapers, Garrett the Gamma, and Treena Killian's baby sister all helped run the pack. Alpha Killian stands in front of most of the adult pack members who lived primarily on pack territory a lot lived in the city to work or attend school. He stands tall and confident, not letting his voice waiver even with the drama and lack of sleep in the last 48 hours. "I know a lot has happened that has everyone on edge, and I am sure you all have a lot of questions. I hope to answer them all for you. First off, yes, I have found my mate. Your future Luna is Lucy Bennet, and she is currently missing. Her sister Lanie is at this moment in the pack hospital recovering from a wolfsbane injection. Axel, her mate, will be excused from any challe
Killian had been searching for two days. Her scent was all over the forest. He couldn't tell if she was just roaming around in wolf form or if she was running from him. He was ready to let Ellen do the locator spell. He just couldn't figure out how she was able to hide from him or why she'd want to. He thought they had an amazing night together. Ellen was still trying to figure out how she and Axel became linked all of a sudden. She spoke to Aunt Bonnie over the phone a few times, both coming up dry. It was unheard of for a wolf and witch to be linked, although none were twins. Ellen had tried every unlinking spell she could think of. She was out of ideas. She didn't cast the spell, so she didn't know how to undo it. Some white witch I am, she thought to herself. She decided to look into her father's side of her bloodline. Maybe there was something to it. She would have to wait until they found Lucy first because there was no way Killian would help her get into contact with
Lucy had been reading for days. Her brain was on overdrive. She could not believe what she had discovered. Lucky for Lucy's photographic memory. She had harnessed a few new powers, and she could feel herself getting stronger. Astrid made her stronger. She could feel Astrid's emotions better now. She had never been able to tap into them before, only when Astrid showed them to her. They were becoming one. A solid unit, Astrid showed her how to use her powers without wearing herself out too much. Liza was a fantastic help. She explained how vital it was to keep herself grounded—not just training her physical body but her mind too. Lucy focused on clearing out the noise the chatter her brain was constantly full of, listening to the rustling of the trees, the sound of the river, the birds, small animals in the meadow. She opened the door with her mind.Closed it with her mind. She picked up the earth, dirt and grass and dropped them into the water. It was a fantastic feeling. Power, e
They stayed at the Mountain Moon pack for a few hours, reading and discussing what they found—checking in with Ellen to see if Lanie had improved at all. She had not. Axel made everyone dinner. He was a master chef like his foster dad Kade. He could make anything out of nothing. He created a tremendous oven-baked pasta with a creamy sauce and vegetables from the garden. He even made fresh buns. The smell of the fresh-baked buns came wafting into the library. It made Lucy's stomach growl. "I know that sound." Killian laughed. "Let's get you fed, my future Luna!" Everyone retreated from the library to the kitchen. Liza began setting the table with her grandmother's lovely china. "We have not had a reason to use these in almost two decades." She shed one single tear. The only shred of emotion Lucy had seen from Liza since they met. "Just more dishes to wash," Ben grunted. "Oh, you hush, like you ever washed a dish in your life,"
Lucy had been training harder than ever before. She didn't want to admit it, but she was worried about the rogue king coming to claim her again. She made Axel and Maddox train her two to one. She needed to be faster, stronger, smarter.Lucy was out running in human form. It was easier to clear her mind without Astrids snippy comments, not that being in human form stopped them. Lucy's birthday was next week which meant she was ready to be marked and mated. Physically anyway...... emotionally, mentally is another story. She did like Killian despite him being a ruthless killer. He seemed to have a soft side, which he reserved just for her. She stopped by a stream to get some water and take a break. She ran her hand over the lapping waves feeling the cool water run through her fingers. She breathed in the fall air. The leaves are changing colours. When she heard twigs and earth move behind her, she turned, ready to fight. She is about to lunge forward when she hears that di
Lucy woke up to the smell of bacon and fresh-squeezed juice. She slipped out of bed and brushed and braided her hair. She slipped on some clothes and went downstairs. She expected to see Axel in the kitchen. He was the only one who cooked, but it was Killian leaning against the counter drinking coffee."Morning beautiful" "Good morning! I don't think I have slept that well in so long.""Good, this is our place now, so get used to it." "We won't be staying in the packhouse?" Lucy wondered what kind of Luna didn't stay with her pack."Not while you are attending school. I have an office in the city a few blocks away. I can go to work, and Maddox and Ellen will handle the packhouse.""Oh, well, that actually sounds great!" "I am glad you approve." Ellen and Treena came into the kitchen looking dead."Oh gosh. I think I might be sick." Ellen sat on the island."Sorry, Ellen, I for
Lucy was out running in human form like she always did in the morning. Usually, this relaxed her, but tomorrow being her birthday and having to run with four guards, two in wolf form, two in human form with guns with silver bullets, was not relaxing her. She stopped by the stream to fill her water bottle and take out her earbuds. Listening to the water run down the stream was always her favourite. Lucy decided to practice cleaning her mind and moving some trees around. She spotted a large Boulder six feet tall and heavy she wondered if she was strong enough to move it. She focused on the wind rustling the trees, the sound of the leaves falling to the forest floor, the birds chirping and the clink, clink, clink of the guards gun rubbing his jacket. The boulder shifted but didn't move. She tried harder, listening to the rise and fall of her laboured breathing, in and out. The boulder lifted three feet off the ground. Lucy began humming. She really didn't know why but the more he humme
Axel grew up in a small town adopted by human parents when his mother died during childbirth. He never needed to look for his birth father because his foster parents were all he needed. Kade and Laurel treated Axel like the son they always wanted. He was given everything a boy could want. When Axel shifted for the first time, he had no idea what was happing to him. His body got really hot and itchy. He had this pounding headache for days. They lived on the forest side of town, so he decided to take a walk and get some fresh air, maybe take a swim in the river if that helped cool his aching itchy body.He stumbled over rocks and tree roots, the smell of the trees becoming stronger, and he could hear everything. The wind in the trees, the heartbeats of rabbits running and the rushing river seemed to be so loud he covered his ears. He did his best to breathe through the pain he felt all over his body. He laid on the ground next to the river, waiting for the pain to s
LUCY I sat on the terrace of our bedroom, waiting for Killian to wake up. I knew he'd be up soon for training. Axel and I had stayed out so late. Killian had been asleep when I came in. I was lost in thought, looking at the building I had destroyed with my outburst only a few months earlier. Almost rebuilt, but never the same. My mind wandered to everything that has happened in the last few months—snuggled up in a blanket with my coffee. I felt a strange sensation overwhelming my body. Was my heat coming on? KILLIAN I woke up choking on smoke. I rolled over to see if Lucy had come back. She wasn't in bed. I stumbled through the smoke, wondering what time it was. I tried mind-linking Lucy to see if she was still with Axel. She didn't answer me. I thought for a minute maybe she was in the shower. Where was this smoke coming from? I looked up to see her coffee cup on the ground outside, her blanket wrapped around her tightly. She was on the deck trapped. I
LUCY Having my mother in my pack was weird. My memories of her are so different from the women before me. We are sitting in the gardening drinking coffee and talking about our lives. I can feel her trauma in her emotions. The things she hides and pretends didn't happen. I searched her mind when we first found her to see what she had experienced. They tried to recreate Astrid. She had so many children taken from her, experimented on and killed when they were not blessed wolves. How she hides all that pain, ill never know. She keeps the wall up high. Hidden from Lanie, for being an older sister is very oblivious to real life. The struggles we have faced and the hardships ahead. All she sees is Axel and her family. That's all she has ever wanted. I, on the other hand, have never felt more alone. Killian is great. I do love him, but he can't fill the void I feel. The never-ending emptiness. He does complete me in some ways, but in other ways, I don't know if I will ever be able
ELLEN I watched as Lanie and her mother reconnected after 15 years. Lanie had been through so much. I secretly hoped maybe my mother wasn't dead but just captured as well. However, I knew better. Axel was recovering well. Maddox had joined me at some point in the night and was sleeping on my lap, both of my legs were asleep, and I really had to pee when Lucy came to visit. I waited by his bedside for him to wake up so Lanie and her mother could have more time together and Axel wouldn't wake up alone. The brother I had always wanted. He was better than I dreamed of funny, kind, fierce. I hated the thought of him leaving to be the Alpha of the Mountain Moon pack, but I knew it was his destiny, and he would make an incredible Alpha. "Hey, how's he doing?" Lucy asked as she slumped into the chair beside me. "No change, but the doc said that's normal, and the poison is out of his system. It was just such a large amount. Liam is still asleep and can't h
ASTRID When I saw the vile creature cut Killains throat, to say I was pissed was an understatement. I shoved Lucy back and took control of this rescue and murder, whichever I decided came first. Mad ox put the coward who ordered Killian's death into the cell next to us while I healed Killian. Lucy was too sweet to witness this, so I blocked her out. What I was about to do, I didn't want her living with it for the rest of her life. "Ah, Alpha Silver, or should I say spinless serpent, I don't know how the mood Goddess gave you paws instead of scales." "Who are you? a hybrid? a witch? how do you move so fast, and how did you heal that mutt?" I reached my hand out with my claws extended and dug them into his neck, drawing blood. " I am Astrid Bennet. You kidnapped my mother and tried to kill my mate normally; my human is sweet, loving and forgiving; however, she is grieving the loss of her mate, so I had to shove her out—I am not sweet,
AXEL I could not keep Astrid back any longer. Before I could tighten my grip, she had ripped both vamps hearts out and busted open the cellar doors. She grabbed the beta both hands on either side of his face. I couldn't see what was happening because Astrid had her back to me, but then I heard the blood curtailing scream come from the betas mouth. His eyes turned white, and he started shaking. She threw him to the side and ran to Killian placing her hands on his neck. There was a flash of light, and Alpha silver tried to escape, but Maddox grabbed him and broke both his legs and wrists. He wouldn't be going anywhere. "Throw him in the other cell. I want to have some alone time with this monster." Astrid's voice was eerily calm and so creepy. Lucy was defiantly locked out. "Yes, Luna!" Maddox complied "Axel! Ellen! Find my mother." She screamed. After a few minutes, Killian's neck was healed completely. He was still covered in b
Maddox had returned with Ellen and warriors were ready. Killian wanted to kill Alpha Sandy Silver he exploited children and his mistress was no better. Astrid was on the verge of taking control but Axel stayed close to Lucy to help her stay calm while Killian commanded the troops. Treena had returned from university to stay with Lanie. The packhouse would be very quiet except for a few omegas and two warriors. It was about a two-day drive and a few hours in wolf form to the howler pack which is where the Academy was located deep in the woods of Louisiana. According to Bonnie, they had vampires and Dark witches helping conceal everything. Ellen would need to take down the barrier to get them through. Bonnie had given Ellen the spells she would need to get them in and out safely. Ellen was far stronger than Bonnie ever let her know giving her dampening herbs her whole life so she would never know her full power. Bonnie did grow to love Ellen even if she was power-hungry. She was just
ELLEN I woke up alone in Maddox condo in Death Valley. I tried mind linking Maddox and got nothing. What was he really up to? I know we got what we needed from Bonnie, so we planned on leaving Devon alone. So, where could he be? I wandered around the condo snooping through drawers and looking at bookshelves. The apartment was so different from his room at the packhouse. Everything was on display like his secret hideaway. I went to reach for the door handle at the end of the hall when I heard the front door open, and I could smell coffee and donuts. I went running to the smell. Ever since Star surfaced, I can smell everything. I reach for my coffee and a giant powdered donut. "Where have you been all morning?" I scolded him as I shoved a huge bite of donut in my mouth. "WOAH, slow down their killer. I had no idea you could fit that much anything in that tiny mouth." He winked and laughed at me, which earned him a smack on the arm. "It's not that I cant
Killian had been torturing Aunt Bonnie for weeks. She was a tough old broad. She wasn't going to crack. Ellen and Maddox had Searched through her home, looking for anything they could use. There was nothing except an old picture of Bonnie and a baby. Ellen couldn't remember her ever having a baby, so who was this? She decided to look up any babies born to the Gilbert family around that time. She looked about two years old, so she had a rough time frame.Maddox and Ellen decided to go out for a break while waiting for the registry office to get back to them. Ellen lied and said Bonnie was quite I'll and wanted to notify next of kin.Maddox wanted to take Ellen's mind off of everything that had been going on lately. They pulled into a gocart track."Seriously, Maddox?""You need some fun, and I wanna race! win-win!" He laughed and grabbed Ellen's hand, dragging her in. They stopped at the food truck outside the track before they raced. Chi