-RAINA'S POV- "Stop right there!" I whisper-yelled and sprinted out of the bedroom. “Wait!” The level in my voice raised as I went in pursuit. The shower was still running as Valen took his bath. I was sure that he'd be able to find me once he saw that I wasn't there, so I chased after her. In the hallway, a glimpse of her floating white hair and giggles went down the stairs. Determined, I followed suit. First, she was at Dark Wolverson and now she was at Wolkrane Fortress as well. Apparently, she followed me wherever I went. This woman was up to something and it was time to tell Valen about her after I caught her today. I recognized that she might pose a threat. But what does she want from me? And that was the thought that kept running through my head. Am I her target or could she be trying to get to me for a bigger purpose? She jumped over the brown leather couch in the living room and ran out of the townhouse-style cabin. I leaped in the same fashion. Once I got as far as the
Dear Valued Readers,Two major things have occurred:- I slipped and hurt myself last Sunday.-The battery of my laptop has stopped charging.I will have to revert to using my phone to type which may lead to more typos etc. I apologize beforehand and seek your understanding.I prefer to use a keyboard as I go faster that way. Therefore, I will have to adjust accordingly.Please bear with me at this time while I strive to continue to post weekly chapters for you to read.Thanks again for you support along the way.I will do my best.Virtually yours,O'Chantal
-VALEN'S POV- All of us kept silent. Devin crept into the kitchen to help himself to some pizza. Raj stalked him and procured a glass of bourbon from the liquor cabinet. Avoiding what she had inquired, I stared down at how adorable she was in my arms. Raina got extremely irate and yelled, "I am sick and tired of everyone keeping me in the dark! No more secrets!" In an effort to get away from me, she pushed against my arms. The dreary thoughts lingered that she would want to rush off to do her own search for Vaheed. Thus chasing after him, risking herself. So my reservations about keeping her in the dark persisted. But I knew that she would bug me until I eventually told her. Tomorrow, Venus will be aware. By then, she was sure to call Raina. Consequently, Raina would be angry at me for keeping this from her. Although it was for her own good. She did, however, reassure me that she did not have feelings for anyone. It would probably be all right if I told her now. I reinforced my h
-VALEN'S POV-Here I was, frustrated and pacing the length of the living room. I just wanted to cuddle her and smother her with kisses. I sank on the couch. My curvaceous doll came over and knelt between my legs with pleading doe-eyes that were softening something within me. My eyes dipped to the lush plumpness of her cleavage. Damn, they looked spongy and enticing.We ought to be on the beach for the picnic I was thinking of having underneath the starry sky. Instead, Raina preferred to have us debating on what should be done for Vaheed. Now I regret telling her about his disappearance. I ran my hand through my hair before I would give in to the inclination to touch her.Raina might wear a tough exterior and could convince many others that she was strong because of who her parents were. However, none of that mattered to me. To Zeus, she was the most beautiful and frailest she-wolf we’ve ever encountered. It was our right to protect her and be out of harm’s way. How could she talk abou
-RAINA’S POV- Valen carried me all the way to his bedroom. He sat me on the edge of the king-sized bed and went to the walk-in closet. He returned with two pairs of gloves. The black ones he took for himself and the white ones he gave to me. "Babe, what's up with the gloves?" I cocked a brow upward in perplexity. He put the latex gloves on, strode to my side, and touched my face. Immediately, I got the picture. There were no sparks but at least his hands could caress my skin with the gloves on. My face lit up with a smile and I put them on. "Nothing is better than physically touching you, but this might be a temporary solution." His hand did not leave my cheek. Forgetting the issue at hand, I jumped on him and pecked his lips. Only a small amount of fermenting occurred since the action was rapid, and the healing was instant. When his eyes turned pitch black, I knew I was in trouble. I roused Zeus in the same way that Hera kept pushing for him. I shouldn't have done that because
-RAINA’S POV- Alerting sounds came from downstairs, reaching the sensitive parts of my heightened hearing. The rattling of dishes, the clanging of pans, and the clinking of utensils could substitute for an alarm. Someone was in the kitchen. I blinked sleep from my eyes and envisioned Valen making breakfast for me. Tall, hard-bodied, and devastatingly handsome as he worked that gorgeous body of his to feed me. An affectionate smile decorated my face from the flattery. Maybe I should relax in bed and wait until he brought it up on a tray with a rose. He could rejoin me in bed to cuddle like last night. A happy bubble grew in my chest. "Go find our mate," my impatient wolf, Hera, whined from missing him too. Because she could be so damn persistent, I threw the covers off and sauntered to the bathroom to freshen up. My nipples felt tender and delicate. Valen groped my boobs all night, twisting around my areolas, and slept with his nose in my hair, enjoying my scent. It’s visible that
-RAINA’S POV- Dad sipped his coffee and instantly averted his gaze at the kitchen window over the sink with an inscrutable expression. “Stuff.” “Really, Dad. That’s all you are going to say.” I should not be surprised. I supposed they would not tell me anything. Do I have to start training for Luna Queen before they begin to include me in everything? I was sure that I had been brought up somewhere in their conversation yesterday. Dad whipped his gaze back at me. “Well, your behavior was a very serious topic.” He came to sit beside me on the tall bar stool. His tone was with authority and firmness. “Sweetheart, we need to have a conversation about the fact that you could be in danger. It’s time for your reckless behavior to stop.” “How am I reckless?” My brows knitted at the accusation. The explanation needed to be forthcoming from my father since I could not demand one from Alpha Vance. My head turned to the right to look at him as I munched on a strip of bacon. “The adventures
-RAINA'S POV- Speaking in a place where everything echoes back to you was a true interpretation of real loneliness. Hera’s agitation prevented me from relaxing in the living room. Constantly on edge, her whimpers were like a microphone feedback that was maddening me. Dad left me alone in the cabin after being summoned by Alpha Vance. I knew that they’d be talking about the white-haired woman and the precautions that would be taken at Dark Wolverson. Thoughts mulled over in my head. Villainess Snow wasn't terrifying. She seemed rather inclined to let Vaheed die, but why? What did she have against my best friend? She could have easily killed me when I chased after her on Monday. Yet, she didn't. Instead, she warned me. Friend or foe. I did not know what to classify her as. Come to think more of it, was she the moon goddess? If she was, I must say that I was not impressed. What is she up to? I was pacing the green carpet of the room, back and forth, wondering if Valen would be alright
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 spo
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