-RAINA'S POV-Warriors were there in an instant, forming a protective horizontal line in front of me. Mom and Venus hurried over to help me. Lifting my head, I raised a hand for them to stay put. Rankled anger scorched my face to crimson and tumultuous energy burst from my pores. My fingers swiped the contents from my face.“Send him out!” Dad seethed.The stunned crowd looked around like this motherfucker's got titanium balls. Then several hands shoved a guy forward. The group parted and he stumbled to the ground. They picked him up and pushed him until he was on all fours before me. With a malicious scowl, he sprang forward. I recoiled.Dad sent a blow to his gut that hurled him backwards, landing on his back. Isaac and Benji took angry strides and grabbed his arms, keeping him on his knees. He wrestled against their restraint.“Nothing you do or say can give me back my mate and son.” The blonde guy yelled at me. Angry tears slid from his blue eyes, down his cheeks. “It should have
-VALEN’S POV-“Valen!” A woman’s voice summoned me.Soft fingers tapped both my cheeks. Swiping blades of consciousness slowly squeegee the windshield of my reality, wiping the sludge of blurriness.“Valen!” It was Mom.The world I knew was coming back to me. Light gradually seeped through my heavy eyelashes. I squeezed my eyes shut before they could flutter open.“Son,” Dad's anxious voice came from above me.“I'm awake.” I breathed out, feeling light-headed.Their eyes were filled with fear and concern as they stared at my splattered-out figure on the floor. Mom was kneeling on my left with Dad on my right, holding me up in a sitting position.“You gave us a scare.” Mom palmed my cheeks. Worry was evident in her icy-blue eyes. Strands of black hair drifted around her face, having fallen from her intricate high ponytail. It was enough of an implication to suggest her stress.“Your energy is off balance. How long has this been going on?” Dad questioned, helping me to sit straighter.“
-RAINA’S POV-For a while, I walked through the area to meet and greet a few Bolivian and Ugandan Elders and Alphas. Venus disappeared, taking the girls with her. It did not bother me. There were so many enthusiastic faces that expected to have a moment with me.Approachable and humble, I interacted with them until my feet hurt, and I decided that it was time to have lunch. Luckily, they freed me from the social binds.“Peaches!” I spotted her under the blue infirmary tent. I waved her over. “Oof!”I bumped into something.No.Someone. Oops!Quickly, I lurched my hand out to grab her arm, keeping her on her feet. I checked on the old, gray-haired, short woman that I almost knocked to the ground. “Oh my gosh! Are you okay?”The wind blew her wizened and straw-like hair as she raised her saggy chin. She wasn’t smiling, but her wrinkled eyes, a deep, amethyst color, laser in on me as if I was her target for the day. Warily, she took my hand in hers. Her touch was light and gentle.“You wa
-RAINA'S POV-Distraught and caught up in my own world as I sat on a cherry log by the punchbowl waterfalls, I stared mindlessly at the crashing stream across from me. It channeled from a narrow hanging gorge, shooting over a ledge and roaring straight into the round plunge pool below.The scene was so glorious that I was fixated on the sky’s sultry reflection that emblazoned onto the clear diamond water surrounding it.The tumultuous ripples robbed me of any hopes for a eureka moment, and more of my not-so peaceful life. The elders gave me the creeps. I couldn't help the awry inkling that churned in my gut.How much did they know?Drawing in a deep breath of the sap, sweet air of citrus, I exhaled lengthily, trying to clear my mind.Venus was right, though.It was a splendid idea to have our lunch picnic on this shallow cliff and to go swimming later at Dovery Falls.Not too long ago, I wandered away from the vivacious group to think about me and Valen, and our future. Only to miss hi
-RAINA’S POV-Theo couldn't wait to bite into the smoked rabbit fast enough. Shimmying and wiggling his butt, he did the tasty food dance as he chomped on it. When he started rocking, you knew it was knocking down that drool from his mouth.Thaines, in his glory, gnawed on a large barbecue rib bone like a feral pup."Bah ha ha!" I couldn't help but laugh as he snapped at Benji's hand when he tried to grab it.Glancing around, I saw everyone in a shining light. Free-spirited and merry. There was no longer a secrecy barrier separating us. This fun funky time was rather refreshing."So, what's up with you cooking an entire butcher shop today, Vee? I mean, it's great, don't get me wrong, but there's so much food!" Penn exclaimed with her lilac eyes sweeping across the delicious feast as she masticated a grilled pork chop.Venus beamed while chewing and twirling her napkin. "There's no such thing as too much food here. Leftovers will go back to the pack house kitchen and won't last long. Mo
-RAINA’S POV-Sloanne’s rejection shattered us all. A gloomy vibe threatened to break up our jovial party. A sadness fell in Zack’s Sacramento green eyes. His features were sullen, confused, and wounded. My heart broke knowing how much this meant to him.“Wiccan obeisance of celibacy?” Zack reiterated lowly. Repressing his disheartened emotions, he wiggled like a grubworm in the weeds that bound him and glanced from Sloanne to Penn to me, and then back at his mate.“There's a lot more to it than that,” Benji explained with hands behind his head, capturing Sloanne’s attention. “Mate bonds are unpredictable because it’s the Moon Goddess that does the matches. She peeks into our souls to make sure we are the perfect fit. Two halves of a whole that bring out the best in each other. You only get one mate in a lifetime. That's why they're so precious."“Yes. Now, please release him.” Penn pleaded, solemnly.“I-I don't know.” Sloanne was hesitant. Her forehead creased with worry because Zack’
VALEN’S POV-"Valen!" Raina moaned out my name as I filled her to the hilt.Our bodies melded together on the bed as I kneeled behind her, and she was on all fours. The crescendo of our desires built up into a dynamic explosion, flaring like fireworks across our skin.“Yes! Oh, baby.” She mewled out a delicious melody as my cock pulsated inside of her slick drenched hole. She milked me for everything I had as her legs trembled in an attempt to meet the heavy pressure of my climax.Raina wanted me to stay like this. Our bodies compressed with my dick embedded deep, fucking and feeding her until she was a whining, whimpering mess. Until she was struggling with the mind-blowing sensation. Until her body couldn't keep up with her desire for me any longer.Yesterday, as soon as we got back to the pack house, she told me to ruin her. We ended up in the Alpha suite, and she showed me that she meant fucking her until she was completely burnt out. Unnerved by Venus’ proclamation, she wanted to
-RAINA'S POV-“Vaheed is coming home.” These four astounding words from Venus’ mouth had changed the entire atmosphere of the picnic yesterday. “I felt him.” She beamed with mirth glinting in her harlequin green eyes. Their twin bond linked for a few seconds, and then it was gone, but she was positive that he spoke to her.It explained why she had been so chirpy lately. A spark of hope flared into life that Vaheed would show up any day now. Still, was it true?Breathing out the barest, wishful sigh, I too, desire for my second best friend to come home. However, there were many questions clawing at the back of my skull. Had he escaped the Worgens? Where was he? Would they come here after him?Well, today was another day, but it was not a good day. After donning a white dress that was above the knees with a tie at the bust and ruffled hemline, I paced my bedroom back and forth, wringing my hands anxiously.Swiveling around, I bumped into a hard chest that knocked me backwards. I was so
VALEN’S POV-“You think you can threaten me.” I blasted, pumping a rigid fist at him as the vermillion red in my eyes marinated in resentment. “You think Selene can save you from me? Never see Raina, my mate, again in any lifetime, get it?”“I will, and I shall,” Gustav challenged."Shut the fuck up," I boomed with such immense power that the temple shivered, and foggy dust shot backwards.At my fastest speed, my feet thrust from the ground and I darted at him, too quick for him to dodge the clasp of my hand clutching his neck. I hoisted him off the ground by his throat, letting his feet dangle as they desperately searched for solid ground, while mine took root on the floor."You feeling tough now?" I growled with hatred in my voice.The Worgen extended his claws and sank them into my arm, piercing them deep until they hit the bone and my blood trickled out, splattering the floor. Because of that, I hurled him to the ground. He coughed and gasped for air, while struggling to stand up.
-VALEN’S POV-“Gustav!” I roared, nakedly stomping through the circular pillars with Zuzu perched on my right shoulder. “Get out here!”Chasing him brought me to Pindus in Greece at the Temple of Zannos. It was an albescent-white, Doric-styled, pentagon-shaped building that lacked care and was covered with limestone dust. On the walls were featured engravings of weapons and symbols that I also recognized were identical to the ones that were inscribed on the Worgens' foreheads.“No need to be so loud, Alpha Prince.” Gustav groused with his back to me. The hem of his cream trench coat carpeted the ground, right next to his enormous sword. “Even the gods can hear you shouting.”Up ahead in the dusty grand hall, he was down on one knee with his white head bowed to the light blue, marble, fifty-foot statue of Selene. She was gracefully sitting on a crescent moon with a beige wolf around her shoulders as she glanced down at the queen of the night flower she was holding up in her left hand. T
-VALEN’S POV-“Holy fuck.” I panted out as the sweet sensations rocked me.Her pouty candy-pink lips began moving up and down my length. She started bobbing her head back and forth. My hand coiled a large bunch of burgundy strands on the top of her head, helping her with the pace.“Deep breaths—yeah, take it.” My lips parted, and I blew out invisible puffs of air.The pleasure was overwhelming, almost making me forget what we were fighting about before. She picked up the pace, fisting the bottom of my shaft with one hand while she sucked the top and repeated.“So good, baby,” I remarked huskily. “Show me how badly you want it.”Already my balls were tensing up and stars exploded behind my eyelids as my orgasm drew near. She hummed around my dick, licking it good as I drew it out of her mouth.I grunted and thrust my hip forward with more force this time, hitting the back of my throat. Her pretty mouth was driving me nuts. The way her tongue moved against the ridges was giving me a whi
-RAINA’S POV-Yellow flags billowed in my head as the mood shifted sourly. Hot, angry puffs of air expelled from Valen’s nostrils. His blazing emeralds locked with my subtle blues.“Hold on a sec.” I scrambled to the edge of the bed and sat up with a frown. “That’s not what I’m saying.”“Really, Raina?” Valen asked me with hidden anger in his voice. “That crab-louse took Vaheed, and you aren’t in a hurry to get my brother back, especially since that’s the only way for us to find out what happened to Devin.”“I know that,” I muttered in a casual tone, licking my dry lips.“Vaheed isn’t with us because of him.” Valen’s voice rose, and he raked back his black hair with a frustrated hand. He turned and walked towards the glass doors to the balcony, aggressively parted the green drapes, and looked out into the gray sky.“I want to summon Gustav, but I don’t know how,” I expressed, feeling crappy that he had a valid point. “Plus you have that murderous gleam that you are going to kill him w
-RAINA’S POV-Brewing with optimism, I watched in awe as the lavender glow disbursed, engulfing Devin's body in a gentle aura of shimmering energy. Like an X-ray, it lit up his skeleton, making it visibly orange with red veins.It was as if the very essence of magic itself was sieving through him, whirling new life into his motionless form. His body was healing, closing the gruesome wound on his chest and reconnecting the superior vena cava."Hang in there, Duke. Your boy is strong. He can make it." Alpha Vance tried to provide some solace.Uncle Duke began pacing while ruffling a hand through his blonde hair. “Come on Smithson, the moon can’t have you today.”Valen's expression was one of intense concentration. His features were set in determination as he exerted more streams of his magic into Devin.For a moment, time seemed to stand still as we held our collective breath, waiting with bated anticipation for any sign of change.And then, it happened.A faint ripple sifted through De
-RAINA’S POV-Sorrowed stalked us back to the witch’s cottage like a grim, black shadow. Unlike the sunset that spread a rainbow flame upon the evening's sky.On a magically conjured table floating ahead of us, courtesy of Valen, Devin's massacred body laid supine.The journey from the yacht to Petroside Grove felt longer than ever before, and Zeus’ sprints echoed with emptiness, silently knowing that things would be different now.As we approached the witch’s cottage, the scene on the off-white porch was one of heartbreak and despair. Miriam, Marlena, Alpha Vance, Uncle Duke, Luna Sianna, and Keisha stood waiting. Their faces were etched with grief as they watched us draw near.Zeus lowered his large, black, furry body so that I jumped from his back, and then Valen shifted. Keisha immediately rushed towards Devin. My heart ached for Keisha as I watched her crumble. With haste, Uncle Duke wrapped his arms around her waist to keep her off the ground."I'm so sorry," I whispered to them
-RAINA’S POV-“The plans they have for us are diabolic.” Vaheed grabbed my arm, startling me as he pulled me to his side.His aura had a scary quality—one that was sickening and could make me puke. He was not my mate, so my body rebelled, seething at being manhandled.Vaheed’s desperate gaze locked on mine, begging me to side with him. “I’m going to kill him, Raina. Tell whitey to leave. We don't want his kind here.”“If you back off, Vaheed, so will he,” I rasped out, which made him livid. His harlequin greens flickered like black coals about to catch fire.Gustav lifted his chin in opposition. “I would not be here if she was not in danger.”Vaheed grinned deviously. “A Worgen….protecting a human? Don't make me laugh. I know all about you and your horde.”“Yes, you do.” I highlighted, “You have a lot of information that we need to make better preparations against them. I suggest we get you to your Mom's for a check-up, and then we'll have a meeting to discuss all that you can tell us
-RAINA’S POV-“Gustav,” I breathed out, still very skeptical of his presence.This pivotal moment would test the guardian bond. With bated breath, I stared at his hand, contemplating taking it. He noticed the alarm on my face and put both of his hands up in a surrender pose.“I mean you no harm, Kókkino,” he said, cocking his head, slightly concerned.Ruffling and a dull creak of dry hinges sounded across the room. My eyes found Vaheed pinned to the decorative, backlit stone wall feature.Grunting with lips pulled over his teeth, his hands gripped and wrested against the formidable, six-foot, double-bladed sword that threatened to slash him in halves. One tip of its broad jagged blade screeched against the floorboard.Panicking, I glanced back at Gustav, in a terrified voice, “Do not kill him.”“He's dangerous.” Gustav furrowed his brows, confused as to why I'd want to spare him, but he relented with an exhalation. He held out his hand and the intimidating weapon whirred back to its o
-RAINA’S POV-“You killed him, you sick psycho!” I screamed at Vaheed with tears raining down my cheeks.“I didn’t do it. Don’t be rash.” Vaheed frowned, and he placed a finger on his lips to shush me. Where was his empathy? “But you knew he was attacked!” I shouted amidst my sobbing, pointing at Devin’s bloody body.“He didn't stand a chance and with loverboy sleeping, neither do you.” His brows knitted as he seemed to be listening for something.I shook my head wildly, beginning to panic. I glanced around frantically, “You brought the Worgens here? Where are they?”Releasing a distressful sigh, Vaheed held up his forefinger and swirled it in the air. “It's the other way around.” He dropped his hand, coming towards me.Smothering my weeping, I watched him cautiously. My heart thumped hard in my chest and I recoiled. I did not want him near me.His eyes widened. “They're coming.” His feet quickened towards me, bending and reaching out his hand under my knees to lift me. “I've got a p