-VALEN'S POV- “Uhm.” In a repetitive rhythm, I kept the rapid strokes going with my hand coiled around my stiff elongated shaft. My dick was so hard with a raging pulse that I could not be around anyone right now. With my left hand bracing on a birch tree, my pants half-down, I pump my cock now in a twisting and pulling motion. The sun could not scald me because the shadows of the trees danced over my physique as I stood under their shade, self-pleasuring. My erection required handling. I fled to the forest to get away from Raina and beat up a tree until my fist eroded the bark and it tumbled over. "Agh." The flaming attraction I had for her was going out of control with the proximity of her. Even now, her scent has settled in my nostrils like a high chemical being sprayed throughout the air, only sweet and refreshing. The simple touch of her lips had sent me into overdrive. The hard boner was maddening. My restraint had snapped. The taste of her full lips was like a donut glazed
- -RAINA'S POV- "How dare you touch my woman, Chappy?!" Valen pinned the battered Alpha to the picnic table with strength that smashed it to the ground. The choking alpha clawed at Valen for a released that he would never get. Shirtless and huffing, half-shifted with eyes as black as the universe and a dark percolating aura of a swinging pendulum blade, a rumble of snarling growls reverberated from Valen’s chest. I kept my eyes on the only man that I wanted to be with and a smile curved on my lips. Luckily, Devin snatched me a few feet away before my handsome mate went in for the kill. I held my partially healed wrist in my hand and let go of the breath that I held when he showed up in my defense. All the bones had already pieced back together. The moonstone necklace produced almost instant regeneration. Tentatively, I scanned the group around us, making contact with many. Some Alphas were just running on the scene. Some of the expressions were more of concern than downright fear
-RAINA’S POV- “Is that why you came here?” Valen asked, roaming his emerald eyes on me, which flickered into black for a moment, letting me know that Zeus wanted to come out. They crudely undress me. Hera was lured enough to attempt to push open the doors of my mind. “No. I came here to see you.” I frowned that he had the wrong impression all this time. “But it seemed like you’d rather be around Mercedes than me.” A fierce jealousy gnawed at me. I turned and walked down the pathway, passing two recreational buildings. The voice from the brief phone call that we had yesterday replayed in my head. It was definitely Mercedes. “Don’t listen to rumors,” Valen said, trailing me. “You ran away from me. You always avoid me. Why?” I kicked up a fuss with my hands gesticulating my frustration in the air. “Some things are hard to explain, Raina.” It was a painful whisper that aggravated me. “I’m your mate. Try me.” I stopped at an intersection where the utility structure and maintenance an
-RAINA'S POV- Having a late lunch, Dad and Alpha Vance sat in the Captains’ Lounge on the second floor, which was reserved only for them. It was a fine day for sure, ambient and kind to the eyes as the sun's rays lit up the entire area in a crisp brightness that complemented the spacious seating arrangements and beautifully decorated tables and utensils sparkled in its glare. Pissed and heartbroken, my dour mood ruined the day for me. I stormed to an empty table and pulled a mink-gray bergère chair from it to theirs. Its gold metal legs rumple the moss-green carpet that covers the complete floor. Plopping down like an overworked woman who has had a bad day, the gloominess aired out with a prominent scowl on my face. "What's with the attitude?" Dad curiously asked while chewing, fixing his chestnut-brown eyes on me. When my eyes landed on Valen who entered the room and slid the triple sliding glass doors closed, I rolled my eyes and frowned deeper. His scent intoxicated me to no end
-RAINA'S POV- Tears. Only my heat made me cry. Other than that, I've never bawled like this. Well, there was that time at the hospital when I thought I would lose Valen because we were unfortunate soulmates, and right now that familiar despair dwelled like a house filled with rodents in my gut. Unwanted but hard to get rid of. Hyperventilate-crying, I sniveled miserably, wiping my face countless times with the back of my hand. Surrounded by various trees and the noisy inhabitants of the forest, I blocked the mind-link. I'll lay my back on the green grassy floor of nature for about five minutes to stop the flow of tears and recompose myself. Wispy clouds in the sky produced a soft golden filter. As though rooted to heaven's ether, the sun grounds itself in the blue. Around me, the world was vibrant due to the light of the sun, which accentuated the forest's most vivid hues. Like the pink carnation, the typically large, spectacular, and brightly colored tulips, and the elderberry sh
- RAINA’S POV- As much as my lower half was shielded by my dark gray jeans, his fondling fingers on my pussy delivered a sweet sensation. I could not help but moan with pleasure. He smirked deviously as though he intended to swallow me whole. Like I was the juiciest woman in existence. Raw and intense sex appeal seeped out of him, affecting the normalcy of my heartbeat. Those spellbinding eyes lost their green, totally submerged in a sphere of blackness and ardour. His deft thumb seemed to have found where my clitoris was and massaged the area over and over. Spasms of pleasure crept upon me. A compulsion to rip the jeans off and give him full access took over. "S-stop," I breathlessly whispered, but he kept doing it. Slightly raising, I grabbed his hand on my stomach to cease his ministrations. Unfortunately, I had to let go due to the piercing burning impact that my palms endured. I hissed from the pain which evaporated due to the pleasure in my lower regions and the healing eleme
- RAINA’S POV- Modestly, I gripped the waistline of my jeans. “We’re in the open and it’s daylight.” Hope festered that he would abdicate and let me get up from the grassy ground. Valen quickly reined in his wolf and shrugged. Regarding my flushed face, he whispered breathlessly in awe, "Beautifully mine," as he parted my legs to his heart’s content. His impression was completely altered by the earlier fear in my flitting eyes. His piercing eyes grew smaller, wonderfully curved, and his hard lips softened, making him look like an innocent boy. Though his lewd intentions corrupted that image in seconds. A curiosity surged about how it would feel to have his expertly enticing mouth sucking on my lips with his calloused hands on my hips. Although, I was not sure what exactly he was going to do with me trapped on the ground. “Do not fight me, mate.” His raw thick tenor surprised me and his hand pressed my body down. I swallowed hard and looked at him in perplexity. I desired him wit
- RAINA’S POV- When I expected him to help me up so that I could put myself together, he remained motionless. Enjoying me in this wanton position with his hand at the hem of my black top, on my abdomen. He was too animalistic to care about the public forest around us and the chances of anyone going on a run who might intrude. When I get up, I could imagine the amount of florets that I would toil to remove from my tangled burgundy hair. I was convinced that my hair was so messy that I probably looked like I was electrocuted. “Do you want this mate bond? Am I the man that you want to spend the rest of your life with?” His fingers tapped my knees, while his eyes searched my face. “Yes, I do.” Though I was a shameless disarray, I eagerly expressed, “I lov……” No. It was not the time to admit my feelings or how smitten I was, so I sealed my mouth. I couldn’t tell him when I was congested with many insecurities. Additionally, I was sweaty and feeling very dirty from previously writhing
-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
-RAINA’S POV-“Devin, I thought you were going to keep me company.” I launched my voice through the mind-link, hoping for a response. “Dev?”Three seconds passed as I waited for a reply.Nothing.“You found it.” Vaheed’s voice snapped me out of the connection. His eyes softened and landed on the first aid kit in my hands.“Yes,” I answered with a smile, giving the kit a little shake. “Shouldn’t you be lying down?”He shrugged. “I’m feeling better.”How? I wondered. My eyes checked him over. With silver in his body, he would have fainted by now.“Well, you look like shit and smell like Swamp Thing.” I let out a tiny chuckle.Vaheed humphed, unamused. Bad joke, I guess.I stretched one hand out to him and bobbed my head to the side. “Come, let me clean you up in the dining room.”He stayed rooted and asked indifferently, “What's up with my brother? I thought he wasn't around.” He lifted his chin to look down his nose at me. “He’s unconscious. What happened to him?”“He, uh, er.” What sh