She gave a quick nod and the tingling took her under once more. They reappeared in the hallway, just at the edge of the now-mound of bodies. Several of the lycans were on their feet, fighting fruitlessly as Collectors clung to their shoulders, necks, and legs. A cold wind blew down the corridor and Vanessa lifted her hands in the air. As she called upon her icy gift, every single Collector turned in her direction. They must have been drawn to her power. “Get ready!” she shouted as loudly as she could. The lycans who were on their feet seemed to comprehend her meaning as they dropped quickly to the ground. A massive wave of small knife-like ice shards sped across the room. Vanessa tried to control the direction they went, but in her panic she lost control. Ice went everywhere. She cringed as several small, jagged ice shards pierced the limbs and torsos of her companions as well as the Collectors. She had to pray their lycan healing would protect them from the worst of it. While the ic
. “Oh my god!” Aria shrieked. “I heard about everything that happened! Are you okay?” She pulled away from the embrace to take a quick look at Vanessa. “ rned to pick up several brown bags—“I brought takeout and wine!” Aria looked Vanessa up and down once more. “You look like you could use a drink.” Vanessa’s stomach growled loudly at the mention of takeout. Aria didn’t miss it. “Do you even eat when I’m not around? Or do you spend all your time hooking up with Nick ? I don’t care if he puts it in your mouth, that is not food!” Vanessa burst out laughing. “You are so inappropriate. Nobody’s putting anything in my mouth but I am starving so get in here.” She pulled the lycan into the living room and plopped down on the couch. They tore into the savory food like animals and honestly, Vanessa couldn’t care less. She didn’t even speak again until she’d finished four spring rolls, a spicy crab roll, several steamed gyoza, and a container of steak fried rice. “Mmmm,” she moaned. “This re
Nick …” she whimpered. “Please.” He brought his mouth up to capture her lips in a feverish kiss. Nick released his hold on her wrists, quickly unbuttoning his pants as he discarded them with ease. Staring deep into Vanessa’s green-grey eyes, he planted his hands firmly on the backs of her thighs and lifted her off the floor. Vanessa wrapped her legs around his waist, as he pressed her back harder up against the wall. She rocked back and forth, the friction between them feeling delicious and tortuous at the same time. Nick reached a hand between her thighs and guided his tip to her entrance. Without waiting for him, Vanessa pressed her hips up and forward, burying his hard length inside her. Nick growled and gripped her hips more tightly. Slowly, he began to move in and out. The rhythm continually increased as Vanessa gripped his shoulders and begged for more. The sensation of fullness when Nick was inside was absolutely mind blowing. She buried her hands in his shaggy, jet-black hai
As do you.” Nick felt the air around him shift from anger to sadness. “Your mate is out there. I’m sure of it. You will have what I have, but it will not be with Vanessa.” A dry chuckle escaped Alpha Marcus ’s lips. “It makes sense why my wolf never took to her. The damn thing has been unbearable recently.” “Give it time. She’s out there.” “We will see.” The air of the office lightened significantly. “Are we good?” Alpha Marcus nodded. “We’re good.” T he following morning came too soon. Nick had planted a quick kiss on her sleepy lips before slipping out early to meet Alpha Marcus . Vanessa was so content with Nick that she found it easy to forget all about the Collectors and the turmoil they caused. About an hour after Nick left, she got up to use the bathroom and found a small wrapped package on the sink. She opened it and gasped at what she found inside. A note read, ‘For my silver-haired goddess. It belonged to my grandmother. I can’t imagine a better use for it than brushin
“Hello again, Ice Queen.” Lucas gave her a warm smile. He was awfully dreamy with his blond hair and Aussie accent. It was a stark contrast to Nick ’s jet-black locks, which Vanessa preferred. “I hope you’re ready for today’s lesson.” He gestured toward the vast collection of swords, knives, crossbows, and other weaponry. “Honestly this is not my area of expertise.” Vanessa laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever used anything in this room. You really think I’ll have access to all these types of weapons in the middle of a real fight?” He cocked a blond eyebrow in Vanessa’s direction. “You don’t need access to them. All you need is to know a little bit about their make-up, and how to use them.” Lucas continued, “Vanessa, I think we can channel your powers. If you could learn to give shape to your ice, like you do with the shards, you could be capable of making any type of weapon at will.” Vanessa felt a rush of nervous energy. “You want me to make weapons out of ice? What if I can’t do it
Vanessa shook her head. “The Collectors are looking for me. We can’t leave the complex. We can’t go outside Matlena’s wards.” “We’re not leaving the complex. Lucky for us there is a gorgeous unused banquet hall right here in the building!” “What? Why is there a banquet hall at Ulric?” Nick was the one who answered this time. “There are often times when Alpha Marcus is forced to entertain other large partners, businesses, and even other Alphas visiting the territory.” He grimaced. “Not to mention a surprise visit from the Infernal Council.” Aria clapped her hands together excitedly. “Exactly. All we need to do is give it a few decorations and voila!” Vanessa could tell by the way Aria said ‘a few’ decorations that it would be anything but a small amount of decor. Aria had a flair for the dramatic, and Vanessa could only imagine what kind of over-the-top antics were in store. Nick put up a hand to stop Aria from saying more. “We can’t just let a bunch of florists and caterers into
He gave her a mischievous smirk. “You’ll see.” Vanessa let out a small sound of protest. “First, you need to take a shower and get ready for dinner.” “Dinner?” she asked. He nodded. “Dinner, at Alpha Marcus ’s place.” Vanessa couldn’t hide her surprise. “In the penthouse? But why?” Instead of answering, Nick bent down to capture Vanessa’s lips in a deep kiss. She felt dizzy as he pulled away. “No more questions. I’ll pick you up at seven thirty,” he said as he dropped her off at her door. He bent to give Vanessa one last kiss. “You’re not coming in?” She frowned. “I’ve got to meet with Aria. She’s been bombarding me with party planning all day.” Vanessa laughed. “She can be very persistent.” “Yes she can be.” Nick rubbed his temples. “I’ll be back at seven thirty.” “See you then.” She watched him head down the hallway, his tall frame moving with long purposeful strides. Damn he looked good from behind, from the front, in a suit, in his sweats, in nothing at all. Nick stopped
“Don’t worry about Aria.” He spoke in a gentle tone. “We have plenty of time before we need to think about kids. Let’s just enjoy tonight and worry about all of that later.” His breath was coming out in frosty puffs now. “I can’t do it,” Vanessa said. “Can’t do what?” She finally turned from the window to look at him. “I can’t have kids with you. I can’t do it. I won’t do it.” Nick looked stunned. “Why are you saying this?” Tears streamed down Vanessa’s cheeks. “Do you think I want to have little monsters? To bring them into this world?” “Monsters?” echoed Nick , his jaw tensing. “Yes, monsters! What do you think would happen if we have kids?” Nick was quiet. His eyes burned into hers. “I didn’t realize having lycan children would be so unappealing to you.” Vanessa stared at him, his words catching her off guard. “I guess lycans are good enough to save you, train you, and fuck you. God forbid you have a lycan ‘monster’ child of your own.” There was so much venom in his tone
The other lycans began to pay attention, calling out to her. She coated fur in ice, and slid frozen weapons in the direction of any lycan in human form who could wield one. The high body temperature of the lycans meant they quickly burned through their frosty axes and swords. Vanessa was working overtime. She began to feel drained and depleted. Her arms were heavy and her body began to feel cold within. Nick ’s wolf watched her intently. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking. He darted away and into the entrance of the complex, and just as Vanessa was beginning to think she had used up her powers completely, a wave of warmth and energy surged through her. She turned to see Laurie, her blonde brow furrowed in deep concentration. She gave Vanessa a small smile and nod. Lance’s wolf circled Laurie protectively. He did not look one bit happy about this arrangement. Nick returned to Vanessa’s side, ready for another round of ice. She called upon her powers and this time they returned. T
“Aria!” Vanessa yelled. Where had they gone? Where had he taken her? Magic flooded her veins. Without another thought, she hurled a wave of ice toward the disgusting bald man. It hit him with such force that his body flew up and straight through one of the glass walls that made up the complex’s entryway. He hit the stone steps outside with an audible crash and did not move again. As Vanessa turned her gaze she caught sight of Nick . His eyes met with hers and she opened her mouth to speak. Before she could warn him, the air around them crackled. An army of Collectors appeared. A large group surrounded the outer lobby while a small group appeared within the lobby itself. Fear struck Vanessa so strongly she could barely think. The lycans reacted in an instant. Some chose to shift into their wolves, while others remained in human form and used the weapons they had in hand. Leah dove at the Collector nearest to Vanessa, shifting into her lean black wolf in midair. The man screeched as s
Vanessa felt so helpless up here. She understood their reasoning, but still wanted to do more. For now she would have to wait, pray, and hope everyone was safe down below. T he lycans worked efficiently. They had been able to assemble their teams and lock down the complex within half an hour. It was a reminder to Nick of why they trained so hard and how important it was to do so. After securing the inside perimeter, they went outdoors. The scene that met the lycan teams looked like something out of a horror film. The second Nick exited the complex his senses were assaulted by the smell of blood and decaying flesh. The victims were scattered all around the property. The first girl he saw was a small, young brunette. She had long dark hair and large blue eyes that stared up at him accusingly. Her body was so badly mangled that he couldn’t have guessed the original color of clothes she was currently wearing. Deep crimson covered her broken form. The lifeless woman lay at an unnatural an
“Don’t worry about Aria.” He spoke in a gentle tone. “We have plenty of time before we need to think about kids. Let’s just enjoy tonight and worry about all of that later.” His breath was coming out in frosty puffs now. “I can’t do it,” Vanessa said. “Can’t do what?” She finally turned from the window to look at him. “I can’t have kids with you. I can’t do it. I won’t do it.” Nick looked stunned. “Why are you saying this?” Tears streamed down Vanessa’s cheeks. “Do you think I want to have little monsters? To bring them into this world?” “Monsters?” echoed Nick , his jaw tensing. “Yes, monsters! What do you think would happen if we have kids?” Nick was quiet. His eyes burned into hers. “I didn’t realize having lycan children would be so unappealing to you.” Vanessa stared at him, his words catching her off guard. “I guess lycans are good enough to save you, train you, and fuck you. God forbid you have a lycan ‘monster’ child of your own.” There was so much venom in his tone
He gave her a mischievous smirk. “You’ll see.” Vanessa let out a small sound of protest. “First, you need to take a shower and get ready for dinner.” “Dinner?” she asked. He nodded. “Dinner, at Alpha Marcus ’s place.” Vanessa couldn’t hide her surprise. “In the penthouse? But why?” Instead of answering, Nick bent down to capture Vanessa’s lips in a deep kiss. She felt dizzy as he pulled away. “No more questions. I’ll pick you up at seven thirty,” he said as he dropped her off at her door. He bent to give Vanessa one last kiss. “You’re not coming in?” She frowned. “I’ve got to meet with Aria. She’s been bombarding me with party planning all day.” Vanessa laughed. “She can be very persistent.” “Yes she can be.” Nick rubbed his temples. “I’ll be back at seven thirty.” “See you then.” She watched him head down the hallway, his tall frame moving with long purposeful strides. Damn he looked good from behind, from the front, in a suit, in his sweats, in nothing at all. Nick stopped
Vanessa shook her head. “The Collectors are looking for me. We can’t leave the complex. We can’t go outside Matlena’s wards.” “We’re not leaving the complex. Lucky for us there is a gorgeous unused banquet hall right here in the building!” “What? Why is there a banquet hall at Ulric?” Nick was the one who answered this time. “There are often times when Alpha Marcus is forced to entertain other large partners, businesses, and even other Alphas visiting the territory.” He grimaced. “Not to mention a surprise visit from the Infernal Council.” Aria clapped her hands together excitedly. “Exactly. All we need to do is give it a few decorations and voila!” Vanessa could tell by the way Aria said ‘a few’ decorations that it would be anything but a small amount of decor. Aria had a flair for the dramatic, and Vanessa could only imagine what kind of over-the-top antics were in store. Nick put up a hand to stop Aria from saying more. “We can’t just let a bunch of florists and caterers into
“Hello again, Ice Queen.” Lucas gave her a warm smile. He was awfully dreamy with his blond hair and Aussie accent. It was a stark contrast to Nick ’s jet-black locks, which Vanessa preferred. “I hope you’re ready for today’s lesson.” He gestured toward the vast collection of swords, knives, crossbows, and other weaponry. “Honestly this is not my area of expertise.” Vanessa laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever used anything in this room. You really think I’ll have access to all these types of weapons in the middle of a real fight?” He cocked a blond eyebrow in Vanessa’s direction. “You don’t need access to them. All you need is to know a little bit about their make-up, and how to use them.” Lucas continued, “Vanessa, I think we can channel your powers. If you could learn to give shape to your ice, like you do with the shards, you could be capable of making any type of weapon at will.” Vanessa felt a rush of nervous energy. “You want me to make weapons out of ice? What if I can’t do it
As do you.” Nick felt the air around him shift from anger to sadness. “Your mate is out there. I’m sure of it. You will have what I have, but it will not be with Vanessa.” A dry chuckle escaped Alpha Marcus ’s lips. “It makes sense why my wolf never took to her. The damn thing has been unbearable recently.” “Give it time. She’s out there.” “We will see.” The air of the office lightened significantly. “Are we good?” Alpha Marcus nodded. “We’re good.” T he following morning came too soon. Nick had planted a quick kiss on her sleepy lips before slipping out early to meet Alpha Marcus . Vanessa was so content with Nick that she found it easy to forget all about the Collectors and the turmoil they caused. About an hour after Nick left, she got up to use the bathroom and found a small wrapped package on the sink. She opened it and gasped at what she found inside. A note read, ‘For my silver-haired goddess. It belonged to my grandmother. I can’t imagine a better use for it than brushin
Nick …” she whimpered. “Please.” He brought his mouth up to capture her lips in a feverish kiss. Nick released his hold on her wrists, quickly unbuttoning his pants as he discarded them with ease. Staring deep into Vanessa’s green-grey eyes, he planted his hands firmly on the backs of her thighs and lifted her off the floor. Vanessa wrapped her legs around his waist, as he pressed her back harder up against the wall. She rocked back and forth, the friction between them feeling delicious and tortuous at the same time. Nick reached a hand between her thighs and guided his tip to her entrance. Without waiting for him, Vanessa pressed her hips up and forward, burying his hard length inside her. Nick growled and gripped her hips more tightly. Slowly, he began to move in and out. The rhythm continually increased as Vanessa gripped his shoulders and begged for more. The sensation of fullness when Nick was inside was absolutely mind blowing. She buried her hands in his shaggy, jet-black hai