-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
-RAINA’S POV-I blushed at his hungry expression and slowly licked my lips before moving up to straddle Valen’s lap. He reached up and raked his hands through my hair, sending the cool tresses cascading across my back.His rough hands slid down my back from my shoulders to settle on my hips as he pulled me closer."I should miss more showers," he teased, cracking a taunting smile.A quiet laugh fell from my lips. “Well, not too many,” I whispered as his lips captured mine.My hands slid up his bare chest before I wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening our kiss. His lips were magical, waking a fire, deep in my core as our tongues twined.Electric warmth burst inside my body, originating in my chest and rippling into my limbs and fingertips.His arms encircled me, crushing my breasts against his chest as he dominated our kiss. His hunger and desire flood back through the bond, emboldening my advances. I ground my hips slowly against his."Goddess, Raina,'' he groaned, throwing his h
-RAINA’S POV-“What is she doing here?” I demanded, swinging my probing eyes from Valen to her. “We have a full staff, and we’re not hiring.”Mercedes feigned a chuckle and muttered sarcastically. “Funny.” She smirked with iciness in her brown eyes. “You were so loud last night that I barely slept, Raina. I almost came to tell you to keep it down.”“I wish you did,” I sneered, “I could have strangled you sooner.”Mercedes just saw me dribbling my ass on Valen’s cock! Did she have a recording device with her to capture and release the footage? Or was watching us just some sick kink of hers?“When they said you were human, I had to see it for myself.” She let out a small, disdainful laugh.“Get out, Mercedes. I'm getting sick of your nonsense,” Valen interjected. His handsome face was screwed up into a scowl, positively furious.“Yeah. Stop being creepy and give up your man-stealing hobby.” I snidely remarked and glared at Valen, pulling at the sheet to cover my naked body. Unease poole
-RAINA’S POV-Cursing, Valen paced the passage and spun toward the wall. Suspecting he was going to punch a hole into it, I palmed his chest and rubbed his biceps.“Did the Elders tell you to court Mercedes?” I had to ask.He sighed and lowly admitted, “They put it on the table and I declined. The Elders picked three Alpha Females after you made that social media post that we rejected each other.”“This is my fault,” I realized. My heart sank deeper than the seawolf submarine. I practically handed him over to them.“Whatever Mercedes said, I promise you that it won’t come to that.” He nudged my chin up, and I kept my eyes downcast. “It's best not to discuss these matters with her around. She likes to eavesdrop.”My eyes wandered up to meet his. “If you date her or even spend an ounce of time with any of them, we’re done.”“Baby, we were having a good time. Forget Mercedes. She’s a chill killer.” He said, slowly trailing a finger across my brow, going down my cheek, and extracting all m
-RAINA’S POV-“Mercedes, I am going to drag your ass off this ship.” I launched over the white U-shaped couch, landing on the cushions and charging after her.Her eyes widened in fear and a shocked squeak escaped her lips, but she could not get out of Valen’s grip.A Wonder Woman force rose in me as I slapped one hand on Valen's forehead and the other slammed flat into her chest, shoving them apart.Valen ended up flopping back on the couch. The back of his head smacked on the headrest, while Mercedes sailed backwards, tumbling over the adjacent couch.“Crazy bitch.” She cursed me, getting up from the floor in a disheveled state, and shooting me cross-eyed daggers. Staggering to her feet, with a hand over her chest and blood painting her lower lips.With my back to Valen, I took a rigid stance with fists clenched, ready to throw her overboard. “Get up and let’s hash this out. And you better tell me what you want written on your tombstone.”Mercedes licked the blood from her lips and fl
-RAINA’S POV-I glared at Mercedes, knowing she was lying. Even if she had Hera, Valen wouldn’t be heartless to cheat on me right under my nose. Sudden clarity slammed into the forefront of my mind.She was guilty of something.“Will you ever stop lying?” I snapped at her while leaning forward, hovering over Valen. The war within him did not cease, making a grave worry creep into my heart, that physically hurt me. “This is urgent. Can’t you see?”Sweat plastered Valen's black strands across his face as he thrashed, battling against an invisible foe in his unconsciousness. My chest started pumping with heavy panicked breaths. I wiped his hot forehead with my fingers and flicked my eyes to Mercedes for a second.She froze with a hand over her mouth, and her frightened eyes lingering at Valen’s agonizing condition.“Snap out of it. Don’t you realize how bad this is?” I had to know what was in his system. “What drug did you give him? Tell me, or I will see to it that they hang you for thi
-RAINA’S POV-The tingles from Valen's hands on my face were pleasing, and I knew he was taking comfort from the bond.Warmth fluttered in my chest as Valen gazed at me. His eyes were hooded with so much love and awe, trying to distract me from how much he was truly hurting. He was still weak, feverish and pale, unable to move from the couch.My brows furrowed, and my head tilted in confusion. “Devin is at Alpha Camp. I can't mind-link him at that distance.”Valen barely shook his head. Heavy perspiration trickled. He exhaled, very slowly, putting his faith in me. “You can. Just try.”At the same time, Mercedes came with a white, cold towel. She bent forward and lowered her hand to cup his cheek. I swat her hand away. She growled at me. I glared at her, fearlessly.In annoyance, I snatched the towel from her to place it on Valen’s forehead, patting lightly. Mercedes snorted and walked away to plop down on the other couch.“Visualize his teleportation ring—and mind-link him.” Valen soun
-RAINA’S POV-The powder keg was ready to explode, but surprisingly, Mercedes didn't have a saucy comeback. Instead, her shoulders slumped in defeat and she chewed on her lips, getting flustered. Her regular unbridled spirit diminished, appearing wounded even.“My head—be quieter,” Valen groaned.Although Valen had his eyes closed, his aura hit me stronger than it ever had before. The commanding pressure pushed to be obeyed as he rubbed his temples. Those two were getting on his nerves.I stood angrily with my hands clenched at my side. “You two, knock it off.” Irritation crept into my voice and both of them whipped their heads in my direction. “Go somewhere else with your arguing. Right now, you are disturbing your Alpha and I won’t have it.”Devin gripped her arm and gave her a hard yank. She stumbled into his hard body, scowling. You know, as I observed them, they could have made a great couple.“Luna, I won’t be long.” Mischief twinkled in Devin’s eyes. “Keep touching Valen. The b
RAINA’S POV-Goddess, I truly hoped I was wrong, but where the hell were they? Plus, it would be better to be there with Valen when he found them, or all hell would break loose.The rest of the day went by quietly. Mom and Dad went off to their meeting with Alpha Vance which ended before dinner. It was a somber event at the pack house with none of the usual light-hearted conversations, just small strategic talk and planning, heightening security, and so forth.Gamma Blayne was sending the elites in deep to help pinpoint the enemy's location. The warrior’s role was more to defend and support where they could block any retreat and aid if they could.Worry scraped on my heart. This wasn't cops and robbers and the bad guy would get jail time; this was life and death.Dad was supposed to flank in from the west and attack with Valen, who would be coming in from the southeast. Their plan sounds solid, but that’s if Valen returned safely. Other than that, something was bothering me, but I hav
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