-RAINA’S POV-Finally, the suffocating meeting was over!I dashed out of the office and was already outside the pack house. I cut across the neatly trimmed yard as fast as I could.To get to the clinic, I would have to take my car from the underground parking lot since I could not shift into my wolf to get there. In times like these, I honestly missed Hera.Things unfolded unexpectedly. No secret could be kept forever, but when I went in there, I did not plan to reveal my infertility. Lucky for me, today’s caucus exposed the astounding truth and so much more.I could have kids. A part of me rejoiced like a happy camper. Although they wanted me to be popping out pups like a broodmare.I sighed in exasperation at how much influence the Elder Council had over us. It was too much power for them to dictate our lives. I hated it.Aside from that, the goal now was to find Peaches. It was imperative to talk with her. Valen blocked me from mind-linking him and it was very aggravating. Killing
-RAINA’S POV-“I'll take you.” Valen offered generously, hampering me from going towards Eddison.Turning to Valen, I trailed my fingers up to his neck, his jaw and pleaded, “Today was a lot for me. I'd like to unwind by myself, and we can meet up later. Plus, there's something I’ll ask you about.”“Then take the twins with you,” Valen suggested, anything to keep me from Eddison.Theo and Thaines’ eyes snapped up at us, awaiting my decision.“I'll be in good hands.” I mistakenly solicited.Taking my words literally, Valen’s lips pinched together in a hard line. His growl vibrated loudly when his dark, lethal eyes flicked at Eddison, recalling the way his hands were on me earlier.“I meant that Eddison will ensure that I'm safe.” I corrected and put on my flirty smitten-kitten-mitten blues while my fingers danced down his jawline. “In the meantime, you could shower and take me on that overdue date.”Valen’s tensed jaws relaxed with a smile that ricocheted a handsomeness overload that w
-VAHEED'S POV-Stuck to the suspended web-like chains, I was like an agonizing bee that had lost its sting on a path to die a gruesome death.With my feet nine inches from the ground in the dark basement of clay bricks under the synagogue, my body hung off the wall in a silver web. Silver chains could not restrict me and this basement was not meant to be a torturing chamber.Therefore, the one called Dymian bound me to a network of thorny, powerful chains that could cut through the bone. My movements triggered Seff, who was my jail keeper, and he liked to use my chest as his dart board for his dry ice daggers. The wounds and gashes weren’t allowed to heal before he came back to re-open them.Bastards.My swollen black and blue eyes stared at the blackness in boredom. The sulfuric stench suffocated me to the point where my body was stuffed with it, feeling and looking half dead. My wrists and ankles were losing skin and becoming very raw. With a heavy stomach, I felt hollowed and drain
-VAHEED’S POV-To punish me for my harsh words, Farrah groped my crotch. Her garnet eyes were slitted like a cat’s as I stared down into them. “Even dogs know how to be obedient and behave better than you.”Besides all my wrath and shock, there was a sparkle of awe. My wolf, Seidon, howled with joy.“Umph! Fuck!” I stifled a groan by biting my lower lip and shutting my eyes as pleasure washed me. Her vulgar touch was so stimulating.Intently, her fixated orbs glinted with mischief and delight that she had this power over my body. To her, I was an appealing object to play with when the others were out.Panting heavily, my groans resounded in the room. Brows drawn tight together, I fought against the pleasure. My skin crawled, itching hot with sparks as her hand cupped down my crotch.Her white eyebrows lowered and pulled closer together with interest. It displeased her that I was turning down her advancement. "It seems that you can’t handle the pleasure I give you."“Go to hell.” I bit
-VALEN'S POV-“Baby that dress. Damn!” I remained unmoved, letting my eyes roam over Raina’s stunning body. It was a sight that stole the air from my lungs.I came to pick her up for our date. She was in her bedroom. She was very much ready to go in a sleeveless, black, heavy ribbed mini-dress with a high neck, and a golden chain that laced up the right side, extending from the hem all the way up and over the round mount of her ample breast, leaving peeks of bare skin to insinuate that she had no underwear on.“I got this pretty little number for you.” She twirled, slowly allowing me to feast on her angelic beauty.Certain parts of me stiffened as I soaked in the friction of her movements in that dress and the way her scent intensified.My mind seemed to be running a hundred miles an hour and my chest heaved with heavy breaths, dumbfounded at this sexy knockout that was all mine.The dress hugged her curves and clung to her body in all the right places, causing me to clear my throat a
-VALEN'S POV-Raina frowned. “Poor Jakub was scared out of his boots after Benji force-marked him this morning. By the time Devin tore Benji off Jakub, he was bleeding out. Come on, Valen. Jakub was in the hospital being treated, and then he went to hide from Benji’s wolf, which had gotten out of control. Even Dad vouched for how traumatized Jakub was. What more do you want?”I wanted to open his skull because my gut hinted that there must be a link between him and Jiya.“Theo is interrogating him.” I assigned him to do it because Jakub would probably die during Thaines’ torturous session. “We’ll know more in the morning.”Raina thinned her lips and sighed. She licked them and a jolt of desire ran straight to my toes. I want to suck on her like I have pacifier syndrome. Instead, we continued dancing.I cleared my throat knowing we were about to tread on a touchy topic. “Raina, why didn’t you tell me that you thought you couldn’t have kids?”Her fingers and feet stilled, bringing our s
-VALEN’S POV-Raina swallowed hard at the next words that were about to fall out of her mouth. “Give me Zeus tonight.” She said, fervently holding my gaze.My brows raised and my hands on her cheeks froze. “Oh.”Her words rolled around in my head and jerked my cock. That’s why she wore that dress. She was probably praying for me to rip it off her the moment I entered her bedroom. She’s so naughty and she likes it rough."Let him take me. Take me any way he wants." Desire filled her electric blue eyes. She smirked and slipped her arms around me, closing all gaps between us. "I want everything tonight.”“Do you know what Zeus wants to do to you?” I was so rapt with the manic lust sparkling in her eyes. My hands itched to be all over her body, making her go crazy for me. “You might not be able to walk in the morning.”Her breath hitched and her cheeks flushed. Without answering, she pulled my head down and crashed her lips on mine.The kiss was fast and demanding, using her tongue and li
-RAINA'S POV-It was day two abroad the yacht and my mind was flooded with happy memories. I opened the door to the master cabin and Valen was sitting on the bed, leaning up against the headboard, reviewing reports on his phone.As usual, he was bare-chested, only wearing charcoal lounge shorts. My eyes soaked in his carved abdomen and chest to note the tension rippling across his impressive muscles, making me worry. He should take a break."Hey baby," he said, not looking up from his phone. "I’m almost done.""Yeah," I returned, knowing better.We just had breakfast and I washed the dishes while he retreated to the bedroom. He wanted to reply to his many messages and check up on Alpha Camp.When we came here for our date, I wasn’t expecting to spend more than one night. Apparently, Venus had prepared an overnight bag for me and sent it with the ship’s staff. They came once a day to prepare our meals and tidy up.I wasn’t disappointed or anything. Spending time with Valen was well-nee
VALEN’S POV-I side-eyed Gamma Blayne furiously. He immediately bowed his head and averted his gaze.The stench of blood got stronger, permeating my senses, causing my legs to speed up. I can't stand the thought of any more of our members getting hurt or killed."What the hell..." I trailed off as I inched closer, crouching down and examining the line of dead bodies. It was just downright sick and twisted to use them for a ransom note effect.A chill entered the air that made everyone shiver. Raina’s eyes widened at the gruesome sight.Venus gasped, going pale with a hand flying over her mouth. “This is barbaric.”All their necks were slashed by claws and two of the deceased were used for the punctuation marks. Reading from left to right, it stated: ‘We have not forgotten, and we are coming for her.’Gamma Blayne crouched at the lifeless body next to me. He touched the wound on the man’s chest, inspecting it. “The gashes aren’t as deep as you’d expect, but this one got a double tap en
VALEN’S POV-Together, Theo, Thaines, Jason, and I pushed forward in our wolf form. Leaves and twigs crunched under our pounding paws. The sight of the full moon took its turn in the sky and the faint wind skimmed my fur.The grim sound of battle reached my ears long before we reached the outskirts of the station. We arrived united, skidding to a halt as we met the bloody scene with hard eyes and fangs bared. The air was thickened with the stench of sweat, blood, and death. Gruel residues of combat.Looking around the field for a target, the sounds of gnashing teeth, angry snarls, and painful shouts that had previously filled the air vanished with the rogues that swiftly fled through the tree line, leaving an eerie silence.“Cowards!” I roared internally, anger filling my veins.“Go now! Don’t let them get away!” Gamma Blayne shouted orders to a specialized team of elite wolves to pursue the escapees. He stood naked, heaving and curling his hands into fists, and his head whipped to sp
VALEN’S POV-“What’s my Alpha doing in a place like this?” Albert the old bartender had the nerve to joke as he wiped down the triple-fronted bar counter with a chuckle.“It’s a bar. What crime have I committed?” Although he was jesting, I was in a foul mood.Arbitration Day with those bumptious Alphas has finally ended. Things at Alpha Camp were going well with Valiant. Devin’s still in his coma and Raina seems to be in a bad mood. She was madder than a fucking hornet and shanghaiing my mental space.Yesterday, everything went downhill. Devin’s condition showed no change and I did not find the damn Worgen. I came here to clear my mind from the weight of failure that settled over me.All I wanted to do was head to Raina’s room and hug her. But knowing that she’d probably bring up Mercedes again, I detoured here. The thought of her name made the beer in my hand so damn distasteful. Out of panicked desperation, I’ve been spinning my wheels all day to come up with a way to get through to
RAINA’S POV-Theo bent and picked up the folder. He placed it on the desk and fell back into position.The file contained four candidates. Me being one of them. It depicted the Alpha cabal, who represented seventy percent of the werewolf kingdom, voting on whom they advocated to be Queen. Mercedes gained the highest votes, while I had a meager one percent. I saw Tallulah Rumer’s photo, an Alpha-Female from the Rym Greyback Pack in New Zealand. Next was Kristen, the Alpha-Female Valen pitted me against in the sparring competition for the world to see.Then there were pages of signatures and pack seals to officiate the petition in demonstrating which candidate held their favor. This was the beginning of an uprising. It could plunge the kingdom into chaos if Valen’s choice upset them.My heart chipped away at the daunting situation. Mercedes bowed her head to hide the gloating smile that curled on her lips.Okay, I see you Mercedes.“Your Royal Elders marshaled me for the task. Their old
RAINA’S POV-"Oh, goddess!" Venus squealed at us, after entering the loft with Mercedes, dragging her by the ear. She dramatically threw one hand over her harlequin eyes while maintaining her hold on the girl."Damnit Venus! Can't you knock?" Valen snapped, clearly still riled up from the hormones stirring between us. He quickly yanked up his sweatpants, though the bulge was quite prominent."How was I to know that this would be going on in here!" Venus yelled back, keeping her hand over her eyes. “Who would ever bang in their kitchen?”“People with mates, little sis,” Valen replied low and gruff, and I sensed the shift in him.My face blushed bright red in embarrassment. I reached over and grabbed my shorts, clumsily slipping them on while sitting on the counter. Once I was mostly covered, I was ready to jump down. Valen's large hands gently grasped my waist and quickly helped me down to my feet."Of all the people in the world, why would you bring Mercedes here, Vee?" Valen asked, t
RAINA’S POV-"Morning, my beautiful Bluebella," he whispered, wrapping his arms around me while I cooked at the stove. "Smells delicious.""Good. I hope you’re hungry," I trailed off as he nuzzled my neck.My breath hitched in my throat as I stared back into his eyes. My stomach flip-flopped."Valen," I moaned. "Don’t make me burn our breakfast. Get the plates."He grumbled, and without moving his body away, the front of his body bumped against the back of mine as he reached his hands up to the black metal shelf to take down two square plates and put them on the left counter.Then he hugged me around the waist, resting his jaw on my shoulder, and angled his head sideways to look at me. My heart fluttered wildly."Baby, you didn't have to do all of this," he said softly. “That’s what the kitchen staff is for.”"Nonsense, I will feed you when I feel like it," I replied with a smile.He just beamed at me. “You’re amazing. I know it’ll be as good as it looks,” he remarked while his hands
RAINA’S POV-I scoffed. "Save me your speeches. I'm tired, and I'm going to bed."Crawling into my side of the bed, I laid down and was about to pull the cream blanket when Valen yanked them away from me. I glared at him."Give me the blanket," I bit out, sitting up with my eyes narrowing at him."Stop being jealous," he insisted in a sharp tone, with the blanket in his hand.I scoffed again, "Who said I was?” I shrugged, swallowing the thick lump of emotion in my throat. “I don't care.""I know you are because, if I were in your shoes, I would be too.” He confessed in an ominous undertone, “To be honest, the guy wouldn't live.”My gaze drifted down his impressive form. Mountainous muscles covered his chest, dipping into cut ridges on his abdomen. Despite the anger, heartache, and humiliation churning inside of me, I wanted to rip those pants off him and throw him on the bed while I had my way with him.Redirecting my thoughts, I simply muttered, "Whatever. Keep the damn blanket."I f
RAINA’S POV-"She attacked me." Mercedes lied, curling into a fetal position with her hand on her stomach, pretending to be in serious pain.“That’s not true.” Again, the rage pulsed through me and I struggled against Valen, wanting to get back to hitting her. "Let me go, Valen. Let me go, and I’ll give her another good black eye.""Raina!" Valen shouted in my ear.I huffed and stopped when I felt him tighten his arms around me. When I relaxed, he let me go and turned me around to face him. His eyes scanned my face and when it landed on my bruised arms, his emeralds darkened.His jaw ticked when he turned to look at the she-wolf on the ground. "Mercedes, mind telling me how your Luna got bruised?""I don't know." Mercedes wheezed, sitting up and clutching her abdomen. "She almost choked me to death.” She gasped, dramatically. “I can’t breathe.""You'll live," Valen responded indifferently. He turned back to me. "Go back upstairs, Raina. I'll deal with you later.""But it wasn't even my
RAINA’S POV-“You must be bored out of your mind.” For a brief moment, Mercedes' brows furrowed deeply as she tried to analyze me. Then she sighed loudly and shooed me with her hand. “You are excused, Raina. I seem to have misplaced my interest in anything that you have to say.”"My words are for her, not you." It sounded pathetic to me as well, but it was the truth.She eyed me skeptically and rejected with disdain in her voice, “No. Your chatter is not on my to-do list.”Thankfully, I spotted a ring of keys on the wall and grabbed it. I fought with the faulty lock until I found the right one and swung the door open.Her expression quickly changed to down-right mistrust. "What do you want with my wolf?" she snapped."She’s mine." I stepped inside the cell, pulling closed the metal grill door behind me.Unafraid, she stayed seated, and her eyes lit up in anger. "Not yours,” she protested bitterly. "I pity you. Fucking pathetic.""Your habit of wanting everything that's mine is infuriat