>After being kidnapped and traded by that crow-witch creature, I woke up in strange surroundings. One look and an instant dread settled in my heart. That feeling turned to panic when I realized I couldn't move much.Even though I had never seen a dungeon, somehow, I knew I was in one then. It was dirty, dark, and damp. But, the worst was the cold. As a werewolf, I had never truly felt cold. Yes, winters were chilly but my grandmother came from a line of arctic werewolves. Cold was where we thrived. Or, so I had thought.That cold was something else. It was claw marks and dried blood on the ancient stone walls. It was the stink of death and decay. It was loneliness and unbreakable metal chains. It was hopelessness. And it felt like it was seeping into my soul with every passing minute.At first, I tried to break the chains, to try and find a way to escape before anyone found me out. But I could neither break the chains, nor anybody came. I don't know how much time passed. My
>I opened my eyes when I felt something prick my wrist."What are you doing to me?" I barely mumbled. The lack of energy was getting worse. "Shsh, you will be alright. Everything will be alright." She said softly while caressing my matted hair away from my face."Why am I here?" I asked, but given how quickly my consciousness was fading, I don't think she heard me.~The next time I woke up, I felt more conscious. I was still weak, but I could hear clearer. I opened my eyes and noticed the room that I was in. At first glance, it seemed like a sterile hospital room. But then, I moved my head and noticed a girl working on the bench to my left, facing away from me.I tried not to let her know I was awake before I knew where the exit was."I know you are awake." The girl spoke calmly without turning. "Wha-" I tried to talk but this time my throat was too dry to speak.She turned toward me and saw her facial features were so similar to the crow/witch who had died that I a
>I was hungry, thirsty, and exhausted. But I had to keep going. My escape was probably noticed and that meant Carmen was dead. I held her necklace tighter in my hand and followed the sounds of running water.I reached a stream, just like Carmen had said that I would. I washed up and had a long drink. My stomach grumbled in hunger but I needed to keep moving. I don't know how long I walked. My feet had blisters. The evening was bringing darkness and cold. I shivered but kept going. Carmen had risked her life for mine, I trusted her enough to show me the path to safety.One more step on the mossy stream bank and I slipped, instantly losing consciousness because of how exhausted I was.~The next time I woke up warm. It felt like a foreign feeling. I groaned and instantly someone was by my side."Careful, you are still weak." A voice just as soft as the bed that I was lying in called from my side. I opened my eyes and looked around the dimly lit room. It looked like a
>"So, Carmen sacrificed herself to save you. Why?" Lana asked as she prepared a large bucket of water to be used as a bath for me."She wanted to avenge her sister," I said like that was obvious."I get that. But why you? Why not somebody else?" Lana pressed so, I decided to confront her, "Lana, if you have something to say to me, just say it.""Nothing. I was just curious. Didn't mean to offend you." She shrugged and got the bath ready."You didn't offend me but I believe my presence offends you. Did you know Carmen?" I asked.She didn't reply momentarily before confessing, "She was my best friend. She was more than a friend, she was like my sister.""I'm sorry. I have a best friend who is like a sister, too. I know how devastated I would be if anything happened to her." I said softly, hoping that Zoe was better off than I was."Your water is ready. Wash up, I'll bring some fresh clothes." She only said before leaving me alone with my thoughts.Once bathed and dressed
>One day I woke up like usual and got ready for another day of hard work. I didn't mind. The bonds I was making and the things that I was learning were so much fun. I got dressed, had a light breakfast, and got out of the cottage that I was sharing with Lana and her brother, Marco.Marco was the older one who had found me at the edge of the village and carried me to safety. He was a member of the patrol guard responsible for taking care of the village borders. He was seldom home and when he was, he was only there to sleep or get a change of clothes.Lana and I had grown closer. She had helped me get the hang of things. We even shared a few classes. She had proven to be a good mentor. That day, I was going to meet Lana for another history lesson. As I walked outside, I noticed Marco coming home, "Hey, you've seen Lana?" He asked.I was briefly distracted by his tall muscular frame though he did look exhausted. Most nights he had back-to-back patrols which tired him but
>After hearing Maisie's story, I felt so bad for her. We stayed a bit longer but eventually, we had to leave.We promised to keep in touch and direct her father to her so that he wouldn't go insane while searching for his only daughter. Maisie couldn't go anywhere but Xavier and I needed to talk.We said our goodbyes and headed back to the motel.On the way, my hands kept touching the letters in my pocket. I knew I couldn't run from them forever. It was about time I read what my mother wanted to say to me. I remember the doctor saying to my father that I had been so traumatized by my mother's death that my subconscious had erased all memories of her. But I didn't want all her memories gone. I wanted to remember my mother. What kind of daughter would I be if I deleted my mother from my life?"How about we order Chinese and talk? You've had a long day." Xavier softly offered as soon as I parked the car."Good idea. You go ahead, I'll join you in a bit." I muttered with my
>I sat in the car holding the first letter. I didn't know when I started crying but the tears just won't stop. I never knew how one could miss someone whom they did not even remember. But I missed my mother. I wished she was there. I wanted to hug her and tell her that even though I did not have memories of her, I loved her.Knowing a part of my mother's story made me feel a connection with her that I hadn't had in years. Aunt Julie had tried to take care of me to the best of her abilities but no one can replace a mother. I felt a pit in my stomach at the thought that Mom knew something was going to happen to her. That is why she wrote the letter. More importantly, she knew something could happen to Dad as well. I wracked my brain for any suppressed memory that I could think of about the way Mom died. But, I couldn't retrieve anything.How can someone erase a memory so important? 'Maybe it was too traumatic for you?' Dahlia offered softly."Maybe. But I would still lik
>Despite everything that Zoe made herself believe, she knew she didn't truly hate Xavier. And if the last few moments were any indication, she liked him more than she would admit.Having no answer for him and being stubborn anyway, she decided to act indignant, "It's none of your business," She said, and before he had a chance to joke or try flirting with her again, she got out of her car and got to her room.Xavier was worried about her but knew that following her would not do any good. He had already crossed a boundary that Zoe had set for them lately and she had given him enough to let him know that if he stayed persistent, she would forgive him.Instead, he waited for the dinner to be delivered and took that to her room.Zoe opened the door after two knocks and tilted her head, "How hard is it to take the hint that I want to be alone right now?""Not hard, but you don't have to be hungry and alone. I brought dinner." He held up the steaming package giving the most innoc
>It took me a few minutes until a vine design caught my eye. It expressed my twisted life and my state of mind perfectly."This one, on the shaved side of my head," I told Judy.She took a look at the table, "This one will take five hours, at least. Possibly more." She looked at me, "Have you ever had a tattoo before?" I shook my head."I'd recommend a small quote on a wrist to see if you can handle it for the first time, instead of going straight to the scalp. It's a sensitive area." Judy advised."I can handle. Pain is a kind of a bestie now." I couldn't tell her that being with Dahlia had heightened my pain tolerance and once you break all bones of your body to turn into a werewolf-Lycan hybrid, nothing else can hurt as much."One last question," Judy placed her hands on her hips sassily, "With everything you just told me that you've lost. How will you pay for the tattoo? As sorry as I feel for you, this ain't no charity here, sweetheart.""We'll pay through this," Xa
>We started walking in the direction opposite Silver Moon."Oh, come on!" Xavier yelled behind another van that did not stop for us, making me smile."Maybe they are intimidated by you," I said, trying to hide how amused I was at his behavior. The great Alpha Shaw getting frustrated because a vehicle didn't stop for him."If it's so funny to you, why don't you try it?" He frowned. I guess I wasn't as great at hiding my amusement as I thought I was. Or maybe I didn't really want to."Sure," I took the challenge, "Stay out of sight if you can," I said while making him walk near the ditch on the side of the road, as I sinched up the waist of my dress tighter and pushed up my breasts to show some cleavage."What are you doing?" Xavier asked, sounding jealous and protective."Using what Moon Goddess gave me," I smirked. I had been waiting for the opportunity to get back at him for walking around naked in front of me. Of course, I wasn't going to take off my dress, but this was
>Zoe was stunned as the cave if the mouth closed like a mountain as if there was never a cave opening to begin with. Even though Xavier knew what he was doing, he hadn't seen the artifact in action. So, he was equally surprised and impressed that it had worked to perfection. "Where did Maisie get that?" Zoe asked in dibelief still staring the magic that had happened before her eyes. "She didn't. She made it." Xavier said and turned around. He quickly erased as many car tracks as he could or covered those he couldn't before returning to Zoe,"We shouldn't waste anymore time, I'll shift and you hold on tight, alright?" He could've made a suggestive joke about it but he seemed too alert and suddenly in a hurry. "Alright," Zoe replied before asking cautiously, "Xavier, is everything okay?" "I'm not sure yet, " He looked around suspiciously, "Whatever it is, it's too far for now," Then he turned to her seriously, "Let's not wait for it to reach us." With that, he was alr
>Spike gave up control back to Xavier, who shifted to his human form, buck naked in all his glory.At first, Zoe tried to look elsewhere, believing it was a mistake on his part because they were in a state of extreme worry and hurry. But then, he tilted his head at her reaction and sauntered over confidently, not caring about his nakedness or the dirt and humus sticking to his bare feet.Instead of going to the back of the car and getting dressed, he stood before Zoe until she looked him right in the eyes, "I see clothes are not an option right now." She said sarcastically.He leaned in sensually and whispered in her ear with a smirk, "Nothing you haven't seen before."Not wanting to let him see the effect that he had on her, "In case you have forgotten, we are still on the run. We need to cross that border." She made sure that practiced extreme self-control and did not let her eyes wander anywhere. The kiss that they had shared did not mean that she was ready for the next
>Xavier had no idea what was happening but trusted his mate and her animal.So, he pressed gas and they did not stop until they were near the Silver Moon borders. Zoe and Xavier exchanged confused glances as they stopped behind a long queue."What are they doing?" Xavier muttered to himself as he craned his neck out the window to look at what was happening at the border."What do you see? Who is doing what?" Zoe asked worriedly. Dahlia was still agitated and wanted them to leave the Silver Moon territory as soon as possible. Xavier sat back, "I don't know, but Imma check it out." He got out of the car and walked to the car ahead of them. He bent at the window and asked the driver, "Hi, do you know what is going on here? When did Silver Moon tighten border security?" After all, they had entered yesterday and there was no one to stop them."The Alpha gave the order early in the morning to check and record every individual and vehicle that passes through all border gates fro
>It took a while for Dahlia to give up on Zoe's exhausted form and return the control of her body. Just like the first time, Zoe fainted instantly. Xavier found her lying in the street with John's mangled corpse beside his vehicle which they hadn't noticed parked across the street from the house when they had arrived earlier. He shifted back and carried her naked form indoors. First, he cleaned himself up and borrowed a suit from Joe Simmons' wardrobe. Then, he used a wet towel to clean Zoe up and then, picked a sky blue mid-length dress with white cotton flowers print from her closet and dressed her up as well.Then, while he waited for Zoe to regain consciousness, he dragged all the dead bodies of the rogues into the woods. He fixed the living room as much as he could and then, he went to the woods to make a pyre for Aunt Julie. She had a major role in Zoe's life and more importantly, she was an honorable werewolf who died trying to protect her loved ones. She deserved
[This chapter contains mentions of gore, torture, and loss of body parts. Reader discretion is advised.]>Zoe did not know what to believe anymore. Was Aunt Julie truly dead? Was it really John standing in front of her claiming to have killed Aunt Julie? She had so many questions. How was he there? Why wasn't John paying for his crimes in some dark dungeon?Xavier was ready to pounce on John at any moment, "Give me one good reason not to tear you to shreds right here, right now!"Anyone looking at Xavier would have fainted due to fright. But, John merely stood with his head held high and his hands in his pockets like his life wasn't being threatened by an Alpha with a wolf twice his size."How about I give you three?" John smirked and lazily leaned against the kitchen island, "First, if you kill me here and now, you will be declared a murderer and wanted for werewolfcide on foreign territory by none other than your own father. Papa Shaw is very upset, Xavier."Xavier knew
>The next morning Zoe felt rejuvenated. Her problems were still there but there was a change that was unexpected yet welcome.Xavier woke up with a smile on his face for the first time in a long while. Most of his problems were still there, but there was one issue that had been weighing on his heart the most and that was resolved last night. He understood that they still had a long way to go and things might take a while before going the way he wanted them to, but he was glad for the great start.They had a light breakfast, and Zoe took the steering wheel, deciding not to comment on his driving the previous day or what had happened between them the last night.Halfway through, she turned on the radio, surprising Xavier even more. By the time they crossed the Silver Moon border, Zoe and Xavier were singing along to the songs like they were returning from the best trip of their lives. Werewolves need a special kind of alcohol to get drunk because of their higher metabolism t
>"I remember star gazing with my mother," Xavier spoke softly, careful not to break the delicate moment they had stolen from the mess of their life."You remember your mother? Lucky you." Zoe replied, matching his tone."She was kind. Kinder than most people I've met in my life. She was like that cool breeze on a hot summer day that makes you feel like everything would be okay." Xavier reminisced about his mother.He hadn't talked about her in a long time but being there, so high above the rest of the sleeping world, he felt like he could tell Zoe anything and be understood. He had a lot to say that he had been keeping inside of him for too long."You miss her," it was not a question but an obvious statement like, "You've never talked about her before.""Since her death, Father became a much harsher man. Once the only source of empathy and kindness was gone from my life, he made sure I never talked about her. Even to myself." Xavier confessed, not taking his eyes off the s