OpheliaHis fingers tangled in my hair, gripping the strands tightly as if to say, I will have this moment whether you like it or not, I will have you.And I wanted it. Oh, how I wanted it.Even the scalding pain of the dark-bond mark hidden on my wrist didn’t ease my desperation for him. For an Alpha that didn’t belong to me. For a man I could never have.I expected our parting to be slow and sweet, the opposite of the kiss that left my mind a mess of need, but it wasn’t.Ryker tore himself away from me with such vitriol that a few strands of my hair were removed in the process. I hissed, reaching up to ease the pain in my skull when he snarled.“Is this why you came here? To seduce me?” He raked his fingers through his hair, his eyes bright and wild. “I see you’ve already gotten control of your magic, strega (witch).”My jaw went lax. What was he insinuating?“What does magic have anything to do with—with what just happened?”Ryker turned his back on me, and the bond wriggling in my
Ophelia When we entered Nova’s house, I couldn’t help but look around for Coop. There were traces of him everywhere, from the muddy shoes sitting on a shoe-rack by the front door, to the damp swim trunks on the back patio. Noticing my wandering gaze, Nova smiled. I couldn’t help but notice that it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Coop’s not here. He spends a lot of time with those friends of his.” “Arielle, Sarah, and Denver?” I asked, to which she nodded. “They’re nice.” She didn’t get the chance to reply to that. A woman’s voice came from within the kitchen. “Oh, dear. Where did I put those dang car key’s again?” Nova’s eyes went wide, “Nana! What are you doing up?” I followed her into the kitchen to find an elderly woman shuffling about. Her curled hair was frosted with white and stuck up in random tufts. She had on a robe, which was partially undone, and a pair of velvet slippers. “Little girl, have you seen my keys?” She was talking to Nova, I realized. While Nova seemed to
RykerChe cazzo?! What the fuck was wrong with me?I slammed my fist into the punching bag and snarled as it swayed just beyond my reach. The second it was within range I landed another blow.I’d come down to the basement gym the second the maga—the fucking enchantress—left.I’d kissed her. I’d fucking kissed her. Kimberly would have my balls for it, or at least she’d try. As much as I had on my plate, the last thing I needed was for her to become even more clingy than she already was.I threw another punch, then another, and another. I didn’t stop until my teeth rattled and the roar of my wolf drowned out my screaming thoughts.How her scent had called to me. The small hints I caught had caused my damn mouth to water. Had it been cherries I’d smelled? The mere memory had my cock twitching.With a snarl, I shoved those thoughts down. I needed to think rationally.I knew she hadn’t used magic on me. As fucked up as it was, I knew it would hurt her for me to assume so. I needed to drive
RykerAfter showering and changing, I hopped in the car. After making a pit stop at a local butcher, I made the hour drive to the facility I’d had built deep within the densely packed forest on the eastern side of the island. If I continued for another few hours, I’d reach the cliffside that dipped down into the ocean.Surrounded by a silver-plated fence topped with barbed wire stood the building where my father—what was left of him—resided.The guards, who kept to their shacks on either side of the paved road, ushered me in through the gates. They opened with a mechanical whirr and closed just as quickly.Nurse Beverly, who had taken care of my father for the years that he’d been here, walked me up to his room. She chattered about how he’d been doing, and how his condition hadn’t really changed since the last time I’d visited.I entered my father’s padded cell to find him strapped in a chair that had been bolted into the floor. The straitjacket held his body in place, keeping him fro
OpheliaI felt a bit better after hearing Nova’s explanation on why it was so important for me to join the coven. The secrets had been wearing on me, tainting my dreams with images and symbols I couldn’t quite understand.Even as we spent the rest of the afternoon in her bedroom, I couldn’t erase the feeling that I was still missing something. Perhaps she hadn’t told me everything or twisted some of the details.I wanted to ask, but I couldn’t bring myself to do so.Of course, my evening was ruined when Lucille called and barked at me to get my ass home. One of the maids had caught a stomach bug and spread it to the rest, so someone needed to clean the house.“There’s this party on the western part of the beach tonight. Did you want to go?” Nova asked from inside her obscenely large closet.I snorted as I stood from the bed. “I think I’m good on beach parties for a little while.”Her head of pale-blonde locks appeared from around the doorway. Heavily glossed lips popped open in an O s
Ophelia“What’s the rush, little dove? Always trying to fly away.” He clicked his teeth and shook his head, then proceeded to step onto the path. “Follow me. Oh, and try to keep up. Wouldn’t want you getting lost.”I bit my tongue against that insane nickname of his, not wanting to somehow set him off, and followed him into the shadow-laden forest. Tree branches seemed to move out of our way as we ventured deeper.The path curled left and right before straightening out once more. For several minutes we walked in silence. I counted the quiet, shallow breaths that left Jude’s lips, and trailed my gaze up the back of his tattooed neck to the dark hair that was shaved short around the sides.He turned, as though he could feel my eyes on him.“Not much farther now.”Fifteen or so minutes later we entered a clearing. The trees towered over our heads, blotting out most of the sun. The shade provided was thick and cool, helping to dry the sweat that had beaded along my back.Jude spun on his
OpheliaCocking his head, he asked, “You didn’t mean what, little dove? You didn’t mean to provoke me? To piss me off? No, you meant it, and now you’re going to pay the fucking consequences.”Oh, Goddess. Oh, Goddess, I was going to die here.I went to call out to Nova through the mind-link when Jude’s hands fell on my bare thighs. The tips of his fingers grazed centimeters above the hem of my dress.The bond squirmed within me, as did my wolf who couldn’t decide whether she wanted to tear out his throat or demand he mark us.I made a frantic grab for my magic, only for it to glide through my fingers. When I went to try again, his hands slid up further. His eyes strayed from my face to my legs, which I held together with as much force as I could muster.Jude flicked his hand a second time and the vines pulled, spreading my legs apart. A jolt of—of something cascaded down my lower belly, tightening into knots that pulsed and ached.“Jude, please—”His eyes rolled in what looked like pl
Jude With my fists in my pockets and a smirk on my face, I climbed the steps into my brothers not-so-humble abode. If I were a betting man, which I was, I’d place all my coin on Nova being the one to tell Ryker what I’d done. Ophelia didn’t seem the type to run crying to the Alpha, though it was an amusing thought. Would she tell him how I forced myself on her, leaving out the parts where she whimpered for more, mewing like a sweet little kitten? Would she include the part where she ground her cunt on my face, chasing her pleasure like a fucking Goddess? I’d known it the second I sucked her clit into my mouth and heard the fractured cry she released. Ophelia had darkness in her, the kind that called out to my own. She could play coy. She could lie to herself and the world around her, but she wasn’t able to lie to me. No, I saw right through those doe-eyes. She might’ve been part angel, but she was also part demon too. I reached Ryker’s office to find him standing in front of the
OpheliaI think I made a sound, something involuntary and small, because Jude went rigid. Slowly, he rose to stand his head tilting slightly as he turned to face us. His eyes found me, clear and bright, and so very blank. There was a knife in his hand. It dripped blood onto the floor in a steady rhythm.This was the real him, I told myself. The part he kept tucked beneath the charming smiles and clever words. It was the truth laid bare. Cold, hollow, and beautiful in the way a tsunami was before it devastated an entire island.Bile stung the back of my throat as I looked down at Edward, who lay curled into a ball at Jude’s feet. Thorned vines, thick and thin, were wrapped around his body so tightly that they cut into him in some areas. His right eye was nothing more than a fleshy cavern. Blood trickled from the wound, running down his nose and mouth. If that wasn’t bad enough, there was a gouge running across his forehead that nearly made me flinch.Goddess, I thought to myself, was h
OpheliaThe first thing we did was mind link the others to let them know we were alive, and to promise them we’d explain what happened to Ryker. After that we decided to spend the night—or at least, the next few hours—recuperating in this nice family’s home.We recuperated in the marble, clawfoot bathtub, and in the recliners in the lounge while some old action movie played in the background. Currently, we were recuperating in the master bedroom, which had a lovely view of the forest.Ryker’s hand slid around to grasp my throat. His hand, large enough to cradle half my face, pulled my head back until I was forced to look into his eyes. They were hooded, dark with lust, as they had been for hours now.“Enjoying the view?” He asked, his other hand traveling down, to toy with my clit. “Lo so, lo sono, amore.”He snapped his hips, driving the thick length of his cock deeper. I held onto the vanity, glancing at my own red-cheeked reflection in the mirror. Ryker’s eyes were dark as he watch
Nova“So much guilt. So much curiosity,” he purred. “I would apologize for putting you to sleep, but it would be a lie. This conversation is easier had without you bleeding all over the floor. I could only patch you up, but if you allow me, which you will, I can heal you.”I opened my mouth, ready to suffer the agony of attempting to speak, just to tell him off, when he lunged again. This time, he placed his hand over my mouth. Reading the defiance in my eyes, he pulled his lips back and flashed me his teeth in a grin that was downright cheeky.He reminded me of Jude, with his mannerisms. One smile, one wink, and you’d forget what they were.“Bite me and I will bite you back.” Lowering his hand slowly, he moved it to cradle the back of my head. His hold wasn’t quite gentle, either. There was a firmness—no, a possessiveness to it. I found myself unable to breathe properly. Did all demons have such long eyelashes?Before I could formulate a reply, he brought our mouths together in a kis
NovaI spun around with my heart in my throat and terror ripping through my chest like shrapnel. My vision tunneled. A hand reached for me.I lunged back with a strangled noise, shoving hard, the heels of my palms crashing against his chest. It was Sterling.His eyes widened as I jerked away from him as if he’d burned me. I couldn’t speak. My throat screamed as I stood there stammering and gasping, sobbing like a complete lunatic. I wanted to vanish—to disappear.Sterling held his hands up, gentle, steady—not a threat—but it didn’t matter. My mind said he wanted to hurt me, that everyone did.I turned, stumbled away, but Jude was already there with his fist cocked and eyes wild. He threw the first punch, clipping Sterling in the jaw. Fat droplets of rain began to fall from the sky. They felt like ice kissing my cheeks.Turning away, I began to walk. I didn’t wait to see if Sterling hit back. I knew he would. Without Ophelia and Ryker, Jude was a wild animal with no leash. He wouldn’t
NovaRyker was trying to kill me.I shifted the moment those demons tore through the portal, even though some insane part of me wanted to stand there gawking in horror. Part wolf? More like part deer.My paws hit the ground as the first demon lunged, its trident aimed to skewer me in two. The stench of sulfur and demon flesh singed my nostrils. I dodged left, but just barely. The wind of the blow brushed against my flank.I charged the sword-wielding demon first, sliding under it’s swing. I snapped at its ankle and felt flesh tear beneath my teeth. The sour taste of demon blood filled my mouth, spilling from my maw. It was going to take forever to get out of my fur.Roaring in pain or fury, or some mixture of both, the demon stumbled back, and I lunged again, only for a pair of claws to clip me in the side and sending me flying across the clearing.I hit the ground hard, dirt flying up my nose and into my eyes. Searing pain arced up my ribcage, followed by sticky warmth. Blood. I cran
OpheliaI sucked in a breath and held it until my lungs burned—until the screaming in my chest matched the screaming in my head. Nothing else mattered as I crawled onto his lap. A purr rumbled in his chest, one that told me I was safe with him for the time being. The dark magic hadn’t taken him over entirely yet. I just … I needed to be close while I figured this out, while I came up with a solution.Deep down I knew—I knew there was no way out of this.A choked sound left me, something between a sob and a broken exhale. My carefully crafted restraints shattered, and I lurched forward and kissed him.His lips were fever warm beneath mine, but he kissed me back like I was his lifeline. I knew that if his hands weren’t bound they would’ve been cradling my face, peppering it with reverent touches that made me melt inside.I didn’t stop. I didn’t want to stop. I didn’t want to think of a world without Ryker—one where I couldn’t be angry with him, where I couldn’t learn to forgive him.Rig
OpheliaLight ripped around us, not bright or searing, but warm. It formed a tunnel of energy, and on its walls I saw a slideshow of the earth moving past us—hills and valleys, cities and towns.Holding Ryker tight, I jumped.Like the snap of a rubber band, we were spat out somewhere else. Our legs tangled and we crashed onto solid ground. The impact knocked the breath from my lungs. Ryker hit the earth beside me, completely unmoving. My arms trembled as I pushed myself up, my body exhausted from using all that magic.Even with my neat little siphoning trick, ley line travel took a lot of energy.Someone’s two-story family home loomed before us, its towering white columns mirroring the clouds drifting lazily across the sky. The wide front porch stretched out like open arms. There was even a swing swaying gently from the evening breeze. A neatly stacked pile of firewood rested against the side of the house, and the scent of sun-warmed grass filled the air.Using magic, I dragged Ryker
OpheliaWe left the manor exactly as it had been, shifting into our wolf forms to travel to the nearest town. The run helped dull the sharp edges of my thoughts, but the moment we arrived, reality came crashing back down.The town was small and worn. The kind of place where the streetlights flickered, and the air smelled of cheap gasoline.The motel wasn’t much better with its peeling paint, flickering sign, and lobby that reeked of mildew, but it had a bed and hot water. That was plenty enough for me.Inside the cramped room, I told the others, “When I was traveling with my father, I met a demon. One of Hell’s princes.” At this Nova paled. I knew she was thinking of the demon currently trapped in her bedroom—the incubus. “It showed me a vision where my mother was alive and well. She wasn’t twisted by dark magic, or corrupted, or anything like that. She was just herself.”I left out the other parts. The ones I couldn’t say without severing ties from my father entirely, and that would
OpheliaThe front porch creaked beneath our weight, the sound deafening in the silence. Every whisper felt like an accusation, every breeze a paranoid thought that chilled me to my core. I was sure my father would step out from behind a pillar, or a hedge.I inhaled deeply, reaching out with my magic. “There aren’t any wards on the house.”Nova made a face. “That’s surprising. We had a hell of a time making it through the forest, but this place has nothing?”“Morningstar likely assumed no one would get this far.” Sterling crossed his arms. “Or, depending on which point we entered, the wards we encountered could have varied entirely.”“It did feel like they intersected in some areas,” I pondered aloud.“That is elaborate. Like a moving puzzle.” Ryker huffed. “I’d expect nothing less.”I reached for the door handle, my fingers grazing the cold, swirling metal. A sharp sting shot through my finger, and I jerked back with a wince. A drop of blood welled on my fingertip.“Damn it,” I grunt