Ophelia “Shit.” I cursed and spun on my heel, eying the walls of the tent we stood within. Ryker and Jude mirrored my movements, both more on edge than ever. I’d have to find some way to slip past them. Fighting them would be hard, both magically and emotionally, but I couldn’t let them steal me away. This was for Coop, I reminded myself. To find a way to get the demon out of him. It was also about learning my father’s plans. As much as I wished I could say that were it, that wasn’t the truth anymore. Asmodeus’s vision changed everything. I could bring my mother back. I could have her and my father by my side. I could have a family. A family that loved me. A family that wanted me. I’d do anything to make that vision come true. “What is it?” Ryker pinned me with a single dissecting look. “Something’s happened. Is it Morningstar? Has he done something to you?” “What? No!” I scoffed, “We came here for a reason. I have a job to do, and standing here with you two is wasting precio
OpheliaJude’s smile was dark, cloaked in shadows. The light of the flames reflected off his straight white teeth. He reminded me of Asmodeus. Beautiful and haunting in a carnal sort of way.“Anything for you.”My wolf liked that. She liked it a lot.He and Ryker exchanged a look.The two brothers were opposites in many ways. Ryker had a kindness within him. A kindness I once had too before it was snuffed out. He wanted to be different from the man his father was. He wanted to be a just Alpha. One worthy of following.For a moment, I wasn’t sure he’d agree to help.“No one gets hurt,” he said firmly.I lifted my shoulder in a half-shrug, swallowing the truth. “If they move fast enough they won’t.”His gaze was all consuming. “I know you, Ophelia. No matter how much you’ve changed you wouldn’t hurt innocent people.”The bond throbbed in my chest, causing a red-hot pain to streak through me. It stoked my temper, causing me to grit my teeth.“I can’t wait to prove you wrong.”It wasn’t a
OpheliaAs the three of us approached the air seemed to shift.Smoke billowed up into the night sky, thick and cloying as I inhaled it into my lungs. In the distance were shouts and screams to call the fire department so that they might put out the flames.I wiped the sweat off my forehead and branched off from Ryker and Jude, who seemed torn between following me and keeping their distance from my father. In the end they chose to trail close behind, their guards up and firmly in place. Magic swirled in the air around us, creating a stillness that I could feel deep within my very bones.“What’s he doing here?” I asked, my voice echoing despite the crackle of burning wood in the background. “I thought we were meeting up with your old friend.”I made sure not to mention Haruto Nakamura by name in fear that my father would think I betrayed him.My eyes strayed to Nail Sharpe. He stood beside my father, looking wholly out of place in his striped Polo and khaki’s. Even his loafers were fres
RykerTwo days had passed since we cornered Ophelia at that small town carnival.We carted Haruto Nakamura’s corpse back to Lunar Isle in hopes that Sterling might be able to use his empty flesh suit to make contact with his spirit. I was becoming desperate to rid myself of Kimberly and spare Jude in the process.With each passing day my hatred for her—and myself—grew tenfold.What kind of Alpha was I to have let her manipulate me in such a way? My father would have ended her life the moment she served her purpose. I had never wanted to emulate him. Never wanted to become the horrible person he was, and yet I was beginning to see that being cruel and ruthless had its benefits.That changed when my precious mate killed a man in cold blood.She hid it so well, but I could see the torment in her eyes. I could tell that her actions were chipping away at her beautiful soul and before long would consume it entirely.We had only ourselves to blame.I had been selfish and foolish wanting to s
RykerI had no choice but to leave the book behind for now. My shirt as well considering it was now coated in that strange, greasy substance the tendrils of darkness left in their wake. I’d have to come back for it later and make sure the spell that Kimberly placed on Jude wasn’t just broken.I wanted it destroyed.Sterling hadn’t been too far off when he claimed the disturbance on the island was Death.I raced through the winding streets of downtown Lunar Isle, craning my head left and right. My heart hammered in my chest. People were running in all directions, most shifting into their wolf forms to take off into the surrounding forest. The voices of my people assaulted me, racing down the mind-link in a slurry of panic and terror.“Alpha, help us!”“The children! Get the children!”“What’s happening? I don’t understand!”“What are these things? Someone needs to alert the covens!”Sunlight streamed down, bringing humidity and heat that my wolf’s tongue lolling out. It was a beautiful
Ryker“He’s not working alone.” Nova added quietly, “Ophelia’s with him. Do you think…”“Spit it out.” Jude snarled, his gaze turning murderous. Blood coated him from head-to-toe as if he’d bathed in the shit. “Go on, Nova. Say it with your chest.”“Jude,” Sterling sighed.Nova’s brows creased. “Ophelia could’ve helped him do this. You said he got away with that trunk of his. Why would they go through all that trouble if it weren’t for something worthwhile? She could be behind this too. Like it or not, she’s made her choice again and again.”Vines crawled up from the cracks within the earth, slithering along the ground as they crept towards Nova. More than one began to sprout thorns which twisted and curled upwards, ready to draw blood.“So what are you proposing?” Jude said quietly. “Are you saying we should kill them both? Get rid of them and maybe all of this will end?”“Goddess no, Jude. I’m not saying we should kill Ophelia you fucking crazy—”Sterling nudged her, “Maybe we shoul
Ophelia I had a bad feeling about leaving my father behind to distract Ryker and Jude, but it was too late.The moment the rings magic recharged I stepped through a portal that, thanks to a quick tracking spell, took me to Southern Florida. That was where Hunter’s father, Alpha Neil, had last been spotted. Apparently he and a group of his men were stationed there for the time being while his ships surrounded Lunar Isle.How Ryker and Jude went this long without giving him the remains of his son was beyond me. Considering all that I’d done, and was about to do, I couldn’t very well judge.Rest in peace, dickhead.I followed the glowing golden threads of the tracking spell all the way to a private shipyard in Ft. Lauderdale.Yacht after yacht sat nestled against a wide dock that spanned several yards into the ocean. The waves were gentle as they lapped against the ships hulls, creating a quiet melody that reminded me of Lunar Isle.I caught myself taking a deep breath of the salty air a
OpheliaErnesto was like most werewolves, which meant he was built like a mountain and had muscles larger than my face. His tanned skin was slick with sweat, which made little sense considering it was nice and cool inside Alpha Neil’s office.That meant he was nervous about something. Why, though?I pointed to myself, a contrite smile spreading across my face. “Oh, you think I’m Aisha? Right, I almost forgot.”The magic holding my façade in place slipped. It cracked before Ernesto’s very eyes, peeling away like flecks of porcelain off an old doll.“Who…” He trailed off, eyes skating over my low-cut top, pleated skirt, and combat boots with knee-high socks.I snapped my fingers. “Up here, Ernesto. Goddess, you’re like fifty. Get a grip, old man. You seriously don’t remember me? I’m a little bit offended. Try and think hard. I was different back then. Sweeter. Kinder. More naïve.” A harsh edge entered my voice. “I was destined to be your Luna once, but like everything else that too was
OpheliaWe ran into a familiar face just outside of La Stella.“Ophelia?”Nova stood a few feet away from the back-alley door leading into the club. She wasn’t wearing her usual lacey, coquette clothing. The babydoll dresses, Mary Jane shoes, and frilly socks were her staple. Her outfits were what drew my attention when we first met. This time there were no bows in her hair or eyeshadow on her lids. It was exhaustion she wore.Her eyes darted around before settling on us. Something had her on edge. Nova wasn’t usually this flighty.“Nova.”I meant for her name to come out as nothing more than a passing greeting, a wall thrown up between two people who had once been friends, but instead it came out like a projectile. The stupid drink that heightened my emotions was still screwing with me.Stupid, it had been so very stupid taking a sip of that drink without confirming it had been the right one. I’d been distracted from the girls slamming into me, but that was no excuse. I had only mysel
RykerI had never paid much attention to what women wore. To get my attention they typically dressed themselves in the finest clothing they had. Jewelry, heels, gowns, the works. They thought it impressed me. It should have.I liked Ophelia most when she wore those small jean shorts that hugged her bottom while she ran across the beach. The little lace tank top she paired with it barely concealed her perky breasts. It wasn’t at all modest, but she was oblivious to that fact. Tomorrow she’d quietly whine and pout, muttering about the horrible sunburn she had. A sunburn that traveled down her chest to the soft swells I wanted to taste.Ophelia was the warmth of Lunar Isle. She was the brightest of colors and softest of sounds.The memory left as quickly as it had come.We talked as we danced. She had her back flush against my chest, her chin tipped to the side as she spoke. Back and forth we went. She was intoxicated from something and would need to be watched. As for me, I was drunk on
RykerWe arrived back at my place to find the house empty, and the wards carved through like sheets of tissue paper.Scraps of the residual magic hovered over just about every surface like confetti.Jude stuffed his hands into his pockets and whistled. “She did this on purpose. Could’ve just unraveled or drained them in that little way of hers, but this? She wanted us to notice.” His eyes sparkled. “Our mate wanted our approval.”I wasn’t going to risk his heart—or his sanity—by telling him I didn’t think that was the case.We found the door to her bedroom wide open, which wasn’t a surprise. I noticed a ball of crumpled paper sitting on the bedside table and picked it up. Almost immediately I could feel Jude hovering over my shoulder like a phantom.“…tasks for Ryker and Jude … earn forgiveness—” Jude lunged forward to try and snatch the paper from my hands. I evaded his grasp and used my magic to knock him back a step. His nostrils flared. “I want it. I’m not fucking around. Give it
RykerA few hours ago…We left Ophelia at the house knowing she’d find some way to eventually break out. Morningstar clearly left her here for a reason and underestimating her had only fucked us over several times. It would never happen again.She was our mate. Kind and compassionate as a ruler should be, but also as vicious and bloodthirsty as a wolf.Jude loved Ophelia as much as he was capable of loving anything. I knew my brother better than anyone else in the world, and I could see that she now meant more to him than I ever had. It didn’t upset me, but it did make me cautious.She knew she held him in the palm of her hand, but I wasn’t sure she realized just how fragile he could be. Her praise would transform him just as quickly as her rejection would shatter him.I wouldn’t lie and say her rejection wouldn’t shatter me as well, but no one had to worry about me leaving a string of bodies in the wake of my grief.Everything would work out in the end, I told myself. We would give ou
OpheliaThe dickhead was right.The moment he stepped away, melting into the crowd, my mind began to race. Jude had been in the fighting ring the first time I laid eyes on him. The brutality of his fight had been both terrifying and beautiful. Would it be Ryker in the ring tonight? Or would it be Jude?I had a feeling they’d be using the remaining members of Diana’s coven. It wouldn’t surprise me if they punished them publicly to try and earn my forgiveness. Too bad it wouldn’t work.The only asses I wanted to kick were Ryker and Jude’s.I made a mental note to add that to my list.Half an hour later the lights flicked off, plunging the entire club into darkness. The music went down in volume until I could hear the excited chatter coming from the crowd.The fighting ring flared to life beneath the stage lights. A young guy with a mohawk stepped into the light. His voice rang with magic, the volume eclipsing that of the music.“Humans, Witches, and Wolves!” The murmuring died down. “We
OpheliaBrushing some stray curls back from his face he grabbed his drink and brought it to his lips. The way he moved was smooth and sensuous, as if he’d had plenty of practice mastering his reactions. “Isn’t it obvious? Our fathers want us to work together.”My eyebrows jumped. What on earth did my father have to do with Lunar Isles military commander? How did they know one another? Clearly my father must have inspired some kind of loyalty for them to go against Ryker.The bond tensed in my chest. On one hand this would benefit my father immensely, but on the other … the bond didn’t like that they could potentially hurt Ryker or Jude.Tears burned the backs of my eyes. What if one of them got hurt? What if one of them—oh that stupid fucking drink.I grabbed the glass of untouched water sitting on the table and took several gulps uncaring of how I looked. A glimmer of panic arose in my chest. The drink was definitely heightening my emotions. Even those few sips were affecting me.I h
OpheliaWaltzing to the shelves of liquor he grabbed three off the first and began pouring random amounts into a large cup. I turned away at that point and leaned against the bar, scanning the basement for any familiar faces.The locator spell wanted me to head straight through the crowd towards the large fighting ring in the center of the room.Standing on my toes, I was immediately slammed into by a group of girls.I righted myself just in time, and bit down on my tongue to keep from lashing out. There were times I swore the potion I took nightly increased my anger. Perhaps that was another side effect.Standing front and center in a group of seven girls total was Diana, Chloe, and Gemma.They looked awful. All three had dark circles around their eyes and looked a good twenty pounds lighter.Before I could say a word the three of them paled, draining of blood until their faces were the color of cold marble. Chloe began to tremble, and Gemma looked as if she were going to vomit. Sens
OpheliaI had plenty of time to plot while spending the next two hours trying to untangle the mess of wards Jude and Ryker placed on my bedroom.Using a notepad and pen I found in the drawer of the bedside table, I’d compiled a list of tasks I’d have them to do earn my forgiveness. Most were juvenile like keying their cars (or in Jude’s case his motorcycle) or having them build me a castle with their own two hands. Others were a bit more demented and ranged from branding them with my name or tattooing it into their skin. Maybe I’d have Ryker declare me Alpha of Lunar Isle.Definitely adding that one.Oddly enough the bond, and my wolf, liked this little outlet I found. The thought of Ryker and Jude reduced to groveling had it humming in my chest.“Hah! Found it.” I lurched into a sitting position. Even though my back was sore from laying on the carpet, a grin took over my face. With a bit of magic I removed the sweat from my body and refreshed my clothes, swapping the torn shorts for
OpheliaI spun around. “Wards. You think wards are going to keep me in here? I’ll drain them just like I drained the dark spell Kimberly placed on Jude.”“That’s if you can find them all, which you won’t.” Jude rolled his lower lip between his teeth. The bond unfurled in my chest. I barely bit back the pathetic whine that threatened to leave me. “I missed hearing you say my name.”Ryker cleared his throat. His hands were clasped behind his back, making him even more imposing than he already was. It didn’t help that his dress shirt and slacks did nothing to conceal the muscled body that hid beneath.“I didn’t take a stand before, but I should have. We should have claimed you the second the bond snapped into place, because you’re all that matters, Ophelia. Not Kimberly. Not the idiotic deal I’d made with her. I fucked up by letting you think otherwise. You might end up hating me more, but this is me taking a stand.” He clenched his jaw, the muscles within twitching. “You aren’t leaving