If Leah had hoped to faze Kirk with her little dig, she was way off. Kirk took her hand and shook it, his smile dazzling. "Hi Leah, I'm figuring if you know I've fucked your husband, you already know my name...Isn't it awesome that we already have something in common?" He adjusted the strap of his purse over his shoulder and across his frame with practiced flair.Leah's gaze slid to her husband, amusement dancing in her eyes. "You're right Paul, I do like him. To be frank. I'd like anyone who'd dare to pivot, before fly kicking Jared on his ass for everyone to see, like it was a handshake."Kirk's grin broadened as he winked at Leah, his entire being radiating charm. "Finally, a woman I can relate to." He sighed dramatically, holding his hand over his heart as he bowed.The atmosphere in the car shifted as Leah asked, "Where will Kirk be staying?" The question hung in the air, open for anyone who cared to respond.Jazz spoke first, his voice carrying an e
When they got to the docks, the harsh wind carried the tang of salt and impending storm. As expected, Juke's father had already left with the yacht, leaving them to make their way home. The wooden planks creaked under their feet as they searched for an alternative route by boat, coming up short.One of the fishermen, his weathered face creased with genuine concern despite their offers, told them nothing would be leaving the docks that day. There'd been a harsh weather warning, dark clouds already gathering on the horizon, and all boats had been called back to shore. The vessels rocked against their moorings, the water choppy and uninviting.Dale's enhanced hearing picked up the low rumble of thunder in the distance, matching the churning in his gut. His nose twitched at the overwhelming mix of salt air, fish, and the musky scent of what he was beginning to recognize as werewolf pheromones.When Jazz told
Dale knew he was transmitting his fears to Juke through their bond, filling their connection with his terror. Juke stared at him, asking telepathically if he was sure. Dale nodded, his whole body screaming to get away."It's just as dangerous out there as it is here. At least if we stay, Jazz and Paul can find our pack members, and put them on alert if we need their support." Juke's reasoning was sound, but Dale couldn't bear the thought of staying another minute."I don't care about that. I don't want to stay." Dale said, tightening his grip on Juke's hand until both their knuckles were white."Well I'm not going," Kirk declared, turning to glare at Dale, his usual sass undercut with genuine concern. "You know I get motion sickness travelling over rough roads.""You don't need to come, one of the others can stay with you, and you can follow on in the morning." Dale said, trying to
They'd left the city about two hours ago, the relative safety of civilization falling behind them like a discarded blanket. The roads grew rough and bumpy—each jolt sending vibrations through the vehicle that Dale felt in his bones.The vehicle rocked and swayed as it ate its way through the dirt road, the movement making his stomach lurch. Snow, gravel, dirt, and fallen branches snapped and crunched beneath them, creating an eerie symphony in the darkness.The engine purred like a satisfied kitten, the sound comforting in the wilderness. Now and then, the loose ground would send a stone splattering against the windscreen, the impact making Dale flinch as the wipers worked to rid the pane of humidity, and condensation streamed down the glass like tears.The absence of streetlights made the sky seem black, a void pressed against the windows like a living thing. They had only the headlights on full beam to guide their way, the beams cutting through the darkness like desperate fingers re
Jazz gasped, the sound sharp in the enclosed space. "You're telling me, you're not the one who turned him?""Yes, he was turned and left unclaimed, before we found him. He's my mate, so I claimed him." Juke's voice carried a defensive edge that made Dale's wolf whimper."Stop kidding yourself. If he was bitten, he was claimed. The alpha will come for him." Jazz's words fell like stones in the tense atmosphere.Dale turned to Juke, his eyes wide with fresh panic. The car now felt too small. "What does he mean, come for me? Who's coming for me?" His voice cracked on the last word, fear closing his throat."No one is coming for you—" Juke tried to reassure Dale, his voice soothing. Despite how the tone made Dale's wolf want to roll over and submit, it did little to stop the goosebumps pricking their way through his skin or calm his racing heart.Jazz butted
Knees like jelly, Dale slid to the ground, defeated as fear gripped his heart, piercing through him as he gave his imagination free rein to play scenario after scenario of him being manhandled and molested by hundreds of sex starved hungry wolves.“Stop your foolish thoughts and get up, little wolf.” Juke was in his head. “I can’t.”“You can…you have to.”"Kill me, Juke, please. I don't want this."“No, I won’t kill you. I'll protect you.""What if you can’t? Will you promise to kill me then?""If I promise to kill you, will you settle down, be quiet and stand up?"" Yes .""Okay, I promise, now get up and be quiet… I'm counting." Like stars in the night sky, bright yellow eyes appeared everywhere they looked. Juke moved to stand in front of Dale as he staggered to his f
Dale’s arms wrapped themselves around Juke’s waist. “You’re so hot.” He gasped under his breath as his body reacted to Juke’s hot muscular frame pressed up against him.He felt a pull in his belly. He wanted nothing more than for Juke to ride his ass mercilessly. His face was buried in Juke’s chest—he breathed in his manly scent, mingled with the faded aroma of his cologne. It tickled Dale’s nose and played havoc on his nervous system. His cock bulged in his pants.“Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself.” Juke grinned.“I didn’t mean—”Juke interrupted him with a kiss. “I know what you meant.”He caressed Dale’s cheek. “Come, little wolf, let me love you— smother you in my scent so they will not find you.” Juke’s voice was a seductive whisper as he breathed t
It wasn't long before Paul and Jazz came toward them, still in wolf form, their massive paws leaving deep impressions in the pristine snow. Two magnificent specimens towering above everything else in view, large and white except for the dark patch above Jazz's eye.Their pure color lit up the darkness, blending into the snow-covered landscape. Their steps were quiet as they sunk into the soft white crystals beneath their paws, moving with a grace that made Dale's heart skip.Watching their approach, Dale was grateful they were on his side. His enhanced vision caught every ripple of muscle under their thick fur, every gleam of intelligence in their eyes. They were no less frightening than when all three had transformed before him earlier, the memory still fresh enough to make him shiver despite the heavy coat.He was also glad he was dressed, the winter air biting at what little exposed skin he ha
The pack house had grown quiet, the tension of preparation giving way to an eerie stillness. Dale sat near the fireplace, his eyes fixed on the dancing and flickering flames. The wood beneath crackled, sending tiny ember sparks behind the guard.Juke joined him, sitting close enough for their knees to touch. “You’ve been quiet,” he said, taking Dale’s hand and leaning his head on Dale’s shoulder, breathing in his scent.“I’m scared,” Dale said, his voice hushed. “Not just of Arif, but... of what’s happening to me. What if I can’t control it? What if my being here hurts more people? What happened at the council chamber still haunts me. I don’t want to watch your people suffer because of me. I’m a liability.”Juke’s hold on Dale’s hand tightened his grip firm and grounding. “You’re not a liability, Dale. What happened at the council chambers is all on Arif for coveting what's not his. The blame lies in his greed and selfishness—if it weren’t you, he would have some other reason to do wh
The pack house was loud with voices, each word laced with tension and worry. The air crackled with unease as wolves debated the news of Arif’s movements and Dale’s place within the pack.Juke stood at the head of the room, his arms crossed and his expression stoic. Dale lingered beside him, aware of the side glances and hushed whispers directed his way.Jared raised his hand, his deep voice cutting through the noise. “Enough. We need focus, not this chaos.”The room quieted, though the tension lingered.One wolf stepped forward, his tone cautious but firm. “With all due respect, Jared, Dale’s presence puts us at risk. Arif’s targeting him and, by extension, all of us. Can we afford that danger?”Dale felt a sharp pang in his chest, but Kirk’s voice rang out from the back of the room before he could speak.“Sure, let’s throw Dale out,” Kirk said, sauntering into the center of the room with exaggerated nonchalance. “I’m sure that Arif will call off his wolves and send y’all a fruit bask
The howl echoed through the forest, sharp and urgent. Dale and Juke sprint toward the sound. The undergrowth cracked beneath their feet as the scent of blood hit their nostrils. Dale’s chest tightened as the sound grew louder, more desperate.“There,” Juke said, pointing to a figure slumped near the base of an old oak.An injured scout, his fur matted with blood, shifted weakly into his human form. “Arif’s wolves,” the scout rasped, his voice hoarse. “Near the border... rallying.”Juke crouched beside him, his eyes narrowing. “Are they preparing to attack?”The scout nodded. “Not just attack—he wants to divide us, use our fears of the unknown to force Jared’s hand.”Juke glanced at Dale, his jaw tight. “We need to get this information to my father. Now.” He patted the scout’s shoulder. “I have mind-linked for help. Someone will be here to take care of you soon. Why did you not mind-link for help?”“At first, I was out of range—then I got hit with a poisonous dart. The drug stops me fr
Dale’s heart pounded as Arif stepped closer, his figure illuminated by slivers of moonlight. The forest was unnervingly silent—the wind stirred, and the soft rustle of leaves swirled in the faint breeze and wound through the trees. The feral glint in Arif’s eyes sent a chill racing along Dale’s spine.Juke moved, positioning himself between Dale and Arif. His stance was calm and composed but also ready for action. It was the kind of calm that spoke of malicious intent.“You’ve got nerve showing up here,” Juke said, his voice low and steady, his gaze burning into Arif. “I’d almost applaud it if it weren’t so pathetic.”Arif’s lips curled into a smirk. “I’m not here to fight, Juke. I came to talk.” his gaze bore into Dale.“Talk! Is that what you call ambushing council grounds? Or were your actions some new diplomacy trend I missed?” Juke shot back, his eyes narrowing.Arif ignored the barb, his gaze moving to Dale. “I’m here for what’s mine.”Dale stiffened, the heat in his chest stirr
Bodies were being removed from inside the chamber, and the council elders reconvened, their expressions grave. Jared stood at the center, his voice carrying authority as he addressed the group.“Arif’s actions today are a blatant disregard for the council’s authority,” Jared said, his tone sharp. “He brought violence to sacred ground. This cannot go unanswered.”Arif, standing off to the side, smirked. “The attack was not sanctioned. If some of my wolves acted out of turn, I will discipline them accordingly.”“You expect us to believe that?” Jazz interjected, his voice dripping with disbelief.Dale felt the weight of their gazes turn toward him. He straightened, forcing his voice to steady. “I don’t know why Arif wants me—he was trying to kill me. He bit me and left me for dead. My turning was incidental, not deliberate. Juke saved me. Claimed me. I don’t belong to Arif.”One of the elders, a woman, leaned forward. “Something happened out there. The wolves hesitated. They responded to
As they neared the alcove, a massive gray wolf lunged at them, its eyes gleaming with murderous intent. Dale felt that strange stirring in his chest again, but Juke intercepted the attacker mid-air before he could react. They crashed to the ground in a tangle of fur and fangs, rolling close to the edge of the corridor, where it dropped off into darkness.Dale's heart leaped into his throat as he watched Juke grapple with the larger wolf in his human form. Why hadn’t he transformed? Despite Juke's skill, the gray wolf's sheer size gave it an advantage. If Juke shifted, his wolf would be larger. They teetered on the brink, locked in a deadly embrace. Dale couldn’t let them enter the darkness.“Why aren’t you shifting?” he asked Juke through the mind-link.“Right now, I can better protect you in human form. My wolf has limitations. Besides, I’m stronger than this wolf, even as a human.”It didn’t seem that way to Dale. Without thinking, he lunged forward, grabbing a fistful of the gray w
As they entered the council chamber, hidden deep within neutral territory, Dale noticed everything about the cavernous room, from its stone walls to its high arched ceiling. Torches lined the walls, casting flickering shadows across the ancient symbols etched into the stone, giving off an eerie, medieval vibe.A long table stretched at the far end of the room, surrounded by high-backed chairs carved with intricate designs. The musty scent of dampness and age filled the air, almost suffocating in its heaviness. Underneath it lingered the faint aroma of burning lint, a reminder of the gravity of the decisions made within these walls.As he breathed in, Dale could taste the faint hint of earth and mildew, which left a gritty, unpleasant taste in his mouth. The chill of the damp air, mixed with the weight of the room’s solemn atmosphere, made him shiver.They arrived with little time to prepare. Leah briefed Dale on what to expect and a few choice phrases he should use to state his case i
The cold bit Dale's cheeks as he ran, Juke's hand gripping his. The forest blurred, growls and snapping twigs grew closer. Dale's breath came in short gasps. His legs burned as they pounded the uneven ground."Keep moving!" Juke's voice rang in his mind. His gaze flicked behind them, and his body coiled. Juke mind-linked Paul and Jazz for help, and he gave them his suspected location as they moved forward. Dale stumbled as Juke dragged him along but caught himself, the edge of his vision swimming. The forest broke into open space—a cliff loomed ahead of them."Juke," Dale panted, his voice shaking. "It's a dead end!"Juke didn't slow his pace. "Trust me."Noni mind-linked Juke. ‘Keep running, and don't get caught. I'm heading down the narrow path, leading some of them with me. I'll head back to the pack and get help. The council needs to hear about this. Your father will know what to do.’The growls behind them grew. Dale glanced over his shoulder to see dark shapes breaking through
Dale sat at the wooden table in the kitchen, his hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea. The warmth didn’t quite reach his fingers as the chill of the early morning air seeped through the open window. A quiet reminder that the full moon was only days away. His nerves were too frayed to feel much else. The sky outside was an ink-blue, the faintest glow of dawn slowly creeping over the horizon.Juke paced back and forth, his footfalls steady but tense. Like a shield, Dale could feel the weight of Juke’s protective presence. He hadn’t said much since the night before. Dale guessed Juke’s mind was on the possible outcome from the Council later that day.He had acted like he didn’t care, but Dale could feel his unease through their bond. Noni had said she would be with them soon to take them to meet the elder.Dale shifted in his chair, his stomach knotting as he thought about the questions swirling in his mind. Why was his body changing so dramatically? How was it even possible for hi