-RAINA’S POV- There was a group of girls sitting on the couch in the living room area. Valen dragged me over to them. With his free hand, he grasped the wrist of the blond-haired one with gray eyes and hauled her to her feet. “Alpha, please don’t hurt me!” The poor girl shrieked in terror. “I didn’t do anything.” “Leave her alone. She’s not a part of our beef.” I appealed for the innocent girl. My brows dipped. She whimpered in a complete state of panic. With that deranged expression in his eyes, I wondered what he was going to do to her. Inquisitiveness and concern for the unpredictable propelled me to fight the hand that bound me to his side in hopes of saving the petrified girl. An awry intuition hinted that something terrible was about to go wrong. “This is between you and me,” I touted. Valen gave me an ugly sneer. "Is this the monster that you want?" He crashed his mouth on the she-wolf who was fucking enjoying it. My mouth opened in a silent scream. My eyes watered. My h
-RAINA’S POV- Shivering in fear, anger, and humiliation, I went past him to the open doorway. “Get out!” The sight of him made my lips tremble and my eyes rankled. Being near him was unbearable. My breathing labored and my hand shook as I pointed in the direction for him to leave. I had to hide the excruciating heartache that wafted into me. In his presence, I would crumble and the pile of leaves I had raked up from the dismal corners of my life was sure to be blown away, scattering my emotions and returning the scene to a cluttered landscape once more. Fur began to sprout from his pores. The dynamic shift coated his muscled thighs, calves, and hands in short black fur. He turned and strutted over to me with intense growling. Then he slammed a powerful fist on the threshold. I flinched at the loud bang. Angst brewed inside of me as his black eyes penetrated mine. His wolf was out and he was still naked. Although Valen had not fully shifted, Zeus was the one that I was facing. The
-RAINA’S POV- Time froze. Earth stopped rotating. Zeus’ dark and red eyes gave me a long, puppy-like, heartbreaking expression. They dug into my soul. Closing my eyes, I shattered the hourglass with the courage I convoked. My heartbeat rushed when I opened them. The back of his finger caressed my cheek. “Don’t mark me,” I remarked, because I was still nursing a deep-seated anguish that would return once the pleasure he wanted had dissipated. Also, my infertility was a whopping issue that could not be swept under the carpet. The truth of my barrenness was utterly unbearable. Being infertile was an obstacle on the path of despair. Zeus would be devastated to know that I couldn't produce his pups. I couldn’t tell him to stop loving me. The affection, pleading, and even desperation in his gaze made my stomach wrench painfully. Guilt soaked into every part of my body for saying no to him when he wasn't the culprit that hurt me. His face fell with disappointment and he lowly growle
-RAINA’S POV- “Fucking look at me, Raina!” Valen ordered in a fear-instilling tone, feral and gravelly. The gall of him! Things can never be the same for us. His previous words made my heart bleed. This wasn’t the man I thought I knew. It turned out that I did not know him at all. This was all about the power in me. That’s what he truly wanted. It must be, for all those years he ignored me. “You think that you can let Zeus sweet talk me and it’ll make things better……and all the hurt and pain would go away. It doesn’t work that way!” I yelled at him and my voice cracked at the end. Sobs racked my body, draining down my cheeks, and were absorbed by the sheet around my body. My hands covered my face and he remained silent. I shouldn’t break down with him in the room. Fighting the pain, I stopped my breath to digest my tears. To summon calmness, I inhaled sharply and let out a harsh exhalation, wiping my face with my hands. “Then don’t make it hard for either of us.” My tears evoked a
-RAINA’S POV- The stinking villainess placed her palm at the side of her mouth and leaned forward in the mirror to whisper, “I heard a rumor.” Snow spoke clearly despite that black mask that she always wore. There was a hint of a smile underneath, judging by the way the corners of her blue eyes crinkled. “What?” I blinked several times, thinking I had gone absolutely mad. Was there really a woman in my mirror? For a wolf, how can she do these things? Was my mind playing tricks on me? “You and Valen called it quits.” She taunted with emphasis. “Girl, what were you thinking? That man is fine as hell! Wrrrao!" She purred like a Catwoman, clawing coquettishly in the air. "He's stacked like a deli sandwich. Yummy!" A possessive growl escaped me and I clutched the two ends of the mirror on my dresser. Hera and I wished to rip her tongue out and feed it to a pride of lions. The yellow polyester sheet around my waist fell to my feet in a bundle. "Cover yourself." Snow pointed a rotatin
-RAINA’S POV- The black bottom of combat boots drew nearer and nearer to the back of my head. Crap! Rolling over, I caught the shoes, using full strength to keep it from smashing into my face. "Didn't you notice how easy it is for me to touch you?" Snow jeered, pulling her foot out of my grasp and swiftly coming at me again. Stomping down her foot like a hydraulic press, I rolled to the right, barrelling across the room to miss the stampede. Then she teleported back to the dresser. Hurriedly, I got to my feet and spun on my heels to face her. Both of my hands quickly combed through the disheveled strands of my burgundy hair to clear my vision. Snow’s hands were behind her back. She stood on tippy toes with an arrogant squint. Without masking my disdain, I assumed a semi-crouched stance with my fists raised in front of my face, ready to throw my haymakers. Snow stared at me with damning scorn. “Come at me.” All of my warrior training cropped up in my brain. Strategizing my next
-RAINA'S POV- Hera? Silence. She was truly gone. There was nothing left. I was an empty shell. A soulless vessel. I was tired and about to jump off a limb into a lost world. Humanity. Without my Hera, that’s what I would become. Human. Sitting on the shower floor, hugging my knees, I was at my wit's end feeling powerless. The well of my tears had dried up to leave me with a hollowed heart, black and oooing like a ghost town. Whimpers escaped me. I felt so weak and numb. I could not feel the artificial rain that doused me in the shower. How much more will you take from me? Moon goddess, won't you give me my wolf back? Won't you help me overcome Snow? Every interaction with her brought me some form of misfortune. How much more will you make me bleed? Suddenly, my shower door slid open. My heart hitched. My breath caught in my throat. My eyes grew impossibly wide as I beheld the large malign figure. My puffy eyes traveled up his long legs that were packed tight with muscles
-VALEN’S POV- Someone left a peculiar gift on my office desk at Alpha Camp. After teleporting from Dark Wolverson, I took a shower and was militantly dressed to lead the team. Then I headed over here after mind-linking the guys for a short meeting. They were currently loading up the Black Hawk chopper. Desperately, I wanted to channel my wrath into some action before I did another stupid thing. I scratched my forehead as I looked down at the item. Undoubtedly, the guys thought that this was funny. It was not amusing. Someone had a death wish and I was in a foul mood. But I’ll soon find out which one of the guys did this. No worries. They would be here soon to discuss the search for Vaheed. We were going to infiltrate a few zones today. We’ve been busy with preparations. Now it was time to discuss strategies and location. In anger, I took up the pocket pussy. I examined the object, not with interest, but with the utmost revulsion. So, was I to use this fake toy in the interim unt
-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