-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- Heartbeats picked up. Fear germinated and flight set in their disingenuous features. All eyes averted from mine. Carson's eyeballs rolled up to the ceiling, flitting left to right. Wentz blocked his whistling mouth, aimlessly staring through the window. Theo cleared his throat shifting uncomfortably in his seat and scratched his forehead. Thaines with his permanent scowl, observed the three uneasy men to his right and folded his arms. “Don’t make me ask again.” I narrowed my gaze with intent. Three shaky fingers threw cowardly Theo under the bus. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he slowly raised his bowed head to meet the fire in my emeralds. “Go in the fucking corner and use it. Thaines, take a picture and send it to Azara. Now!” I commanded in my alpha voice as I turned the joke on them. Theo and Thaines' cognac eyes gorged from their sockets. They exchanged horrified glances. Ridiculous. They gave me the ‘are-you-serious’ look. “What are you waiting fo
-VALEN’S POV- “But I ―” Mercedes pressed. This was ruining my day. When will she get the picture that I was sickened of her and cease her dastardly deeds? “May I speak with you in private?” Her once-wide smile disappeared behind pinched lips and desperation filled her gaze, almost looking constipated. Devin scoffed with disgust, rubbing the scruff of his jaw and his austere blue eyes landed on me. She was still trying to get on the team. Her attire was battle-ready to match ours. Dense as lead, she stood behind the tub chairs, waiting for me to hear her jillion of petition. Nothing worked with Mercedes. Her shame tree was chopped down long ago. I might need an advanced degree in female decryption with a minor in how to get my rejection across effectively. She did not know that I found out that she was the one who set up Alpha Chapman to harass Raina when she was last here. She would avoid me if she knew what I had in store for her. Fuming with aggravation, I glanced at the time
-RAINA'S POV- Our eyes locked. His ominous red shot like a pointed edge blade at my flitting blue. Goosebumps peppered my pale skin with my heart racing and anxiety high. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Hands trembling with the mobile phone at my ear, I opened my mouth to speak. "V……" Calloused hands went over my mouth as he teleported behind me. Cardamom and amber swirled high, enveloping me. A pulsing rage of electrifying energy surged through my body. From top to bottom, the feel of his muscular frame scorched my skin like blue fire. He grabbed the phone, disconnected the call, and tossed it in the middle of the untidy bed. Then he released me. Despite the riveting waves that thrilled me, I whipped around to face him. The bulk of my burgundy hair mussed in a swing to rest on my left shoulder. Before I could land a hit, he swiped a palm in front of me and my fist froze in the air. I gave him the cruelest look as I realized that my body had frozen for a second ti
RAINA’S POV- The starkly Valen-look-alike male hesitated with the dagger in a throwing position. The silver blade glinted in his hand and the wretched silence became ferociously sullen. He froze with blazing eyes burning at me in a chilling hush. In slow motion, his head slightly tilted as one of his brows raised. If Dad tried to enter the room, he was going to kill him and I could not do anything about it. A thick icy bubble of dread sat in my throat as my heart rate accelerated. I swallowed my nerves and my mouth released a soundless ‘please.’ Dad perused my bed and was about to enter the bedroom to check on me. One foot stepped forward. I whimpered from the invisible lock on my body, fearful that the bad guy was going to hurt him wickedly. Dad wouldn’t have seen the harm coming at him. “No.” I croaked, feeling ashamed and useless as the worst daughter in the world who was subjecting her Dad to death. My eyes swung from him to them. Like invisible fingers running down my spine
-RAINA’S POV- "I am only interested in the white-haired woman. I must find her.” Valen-look-alike slowly prowled down the side of the bed to come around to me. Shit! He was really in my head. My throat tightened with my eyes never leaving him. "Yet you came here to harass me." My hands dropped to my side and I panicked breathlessly. Sweat spread between my breasts. "Because she was last here." He grated from the foot of the bed in a flat, emotionless voice, but his piercing eyes were the opposite. "Well, she's not here anymore. Leave!" Rattling, I recoiled as he got menacingly closer. “I am of no help to you and you won’t share what you know about that hussy.” He snarled. “Don’t you fucking call her that!” His deep baritone rattled my entire being. “Grrr!” Defensive much! Angry vermillion eyes sized me up. The ill-laden air stilled for three seconds. I hoped, wished, and begged for this face-stealing troll to disappear. Growling, he took up a pillow and ripped it in two. Fluffy
RAINA’S POV-Valen’s brows creased, looking baffled. Then he tutted dismissively, not taking me seriously.“It is taking a toll on your body, and you must do it before Gamma Blayne releases her from the cells,” I said, searching his face, but all I saw was confusion. I dropped my gaze, afraid of his hesitation.Slipping his fingers from mine, he lifted my chin to bring my eyes to his. “Tell you what, I’ll send Mercedes back to Canada.” My chest tightened. “It’s not the same.” I lowered my gaze to keep my composure. I focused on the steady beating of his heart to smother the ache piercing through mine."Baby, look at me.” He demanded my eyes and when I flicked them up at him, he added, “There will never be a third party to our mate bond." His conviction was strong, and I wanted nothing more than to believe him.“Stop denying it.” I retorted, nudging him in the side with my elbow. “Mercedes came on board sometime last night, and you didn't even stop her.”Valen became serious now, and
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