In the middle of the night I wake up, but Levi is not in bed.I frown at his absence. It's late morning, but he's nowhere to be found. Not even in the bathroom.I find this very strange, since he doesn't usually get up before his exercise time. Curious, I put on my robe and get out of bed, yawning.As I leave the room I see the light in his study on. I head in that direction and get the door half open.Levi is sitting at his desk. In front of him are Elliot and Andrew.All three of them look at me as soon as I walk in. Their expressions are serious."What's going on?" I ask them.Andrew and Elliot look at each other's faces, not knowing what to say. Levi replies."We've received a warning from the Alpha of one of our allied packs. Apparently, Sebastian is spreading some rumors to isolate us from the rest of the packs.""What?" I say indignantly. Elliot nods."The lead came in a few hours ago. It seems that some Alphas and other pack members have believed Sebastian's
Levi holds my hand tightly, knowing how nervous I am."What will happen if it goes wrong?" I say in a low tone.Levi kisses my knuckles."Don't think about it. It will be alright," he promises me.I nod, trusting his word. He seems sure of himself. As if nothing intimidates him.Well, nothing intimidates Levi, though. I know that much.We head together to the great hall where the ceremony is being held to decide his innocence based on the rumors about him. The great hall is a jury-style room, with a central stool and a raised crescent-shaped podium, where the most respected members of each pack are seated.In front of the podium, and behind the stool for the witnesses or the defendant to sit, is a row of wooden chairs for the trial attendees.As we enter, Levi and I part ways, knowing it will be for the best for now. On the stand is my father, as representative of our pack, and many good friends who are the Alphas of their own packs.The truth is that Levi has a lot o
Levi holds me tightly in his arms."It's over," he promises me.His lips meet mine tenderly. Levi has his hands resting on my cheeks. His thumbs caress my face."I hope so," I say, sniffling my nose."Finally!" Matt jumps up, coming toward us. "That bastard won't be bothering us anymore."My brother hugs me. I return the gesture and Elliot settles down next to Levi."Are you all right?" asks the Beta seriously. Levi nods."I am," Levi says.He holds me by the waist. The assembly has turned into chaos, but now it's all over.With Sebastian exiled from the wolves' domain, and Rose away from Alaska, things should be fine for a while.I hope this is the end of all the drama and all the problems.As soon as she can, Sophie comes and hugs me."I'm so proud of you," she says to me.My father also comes to us."I thank you for clearing the name of our packs," he says to Levi. And I see in his eyes that my husband has really earned his appreciation.Shortly afterwa
"That you are... Who?" I ask in a choked voice.My gaze seeks Levi's. Instead of feeling indignation, I find myself shocked.That's when her name echoes inside my head."You said your name was Summer Dynasty..."She nods."I am the daughter of an important Alpha in California," she states arrogantly.I couldn't care less about her father."You are Matthew's girlfriend," I declare.Summer clicks her tongue."About that... We broke up," she states matter-of-factly.I immediately get worried. Matt seemed to be madly in love with this girl.If she broke my brother's heart, I'll break her bones."Matt and I weren't right for each other," she says in an innocent voice, as if talking about a pair of shoes that just didn't fit."And what makes you think that you and Levi are ideal as a couple?" I ask.She ignores my question. Instead, Levi asks."Who sent you?"His tone is serious, distant and cold."Your grandmother, evidently," she says.Suddenly I feel li
"Do you have a minute to talk?" I say to Matt, who is on the other end of the phone.He sighs."For you, sis, I always have time."I smile. His voice is tender with me, as always, but his tone is tinged with bitterness."I heard that you broke up with Summer," I whisper to him.My brother lets out a bitter laugh."How quickly rumors spread," he adds in exasperation."What happened?" I ask him."Honestly, I don't know," he says. "Yesterday she sounded like the sweetest girl in the world. She was really happy to come to see me. But as soon as she got to the airport, she acted like a different person."'She showed her true colors,' I think."She told me that she was not interested in seeing me and that it was over between us. I asked her for an explanation, but she wouldn't give me one. She told me to forget about her.""I'm sorry to hear that, Matt," I murmur."The worst thing is, I really thought we had a future together.""I know that. I could tell by the way
Levi's POVWhen I see Summer coming up the stairs in search of her things I feel a deep relief, but it is momentary. I don't trust the facts as they are unfolding. It's all been too rushed to stop and think about each of the problems Amber and I have faced in the last few days, but I know it has to be the same person behind each of the seemingly random events.Whether it's Rose's rumors at the Moon Ball, Sebastian's attempts to destroy me, and now Summer claiming she has a right to be my wife. It all seems to point in the same direction.My lips draw into a grimace. Next to me, Amber sighs."I deserve a vacation from all this drama," she says in a tired voice. I smile and pull her to me."Tell me where you want to go and we'll leave instantly."Her eyes sparkle like those of a little girl."Maybe it's not about the place, but the company," she jokes."I feel like I deserve a break from all this too," says my mother as she stands up. "I'll go lie down for a while, if you
Amber's POVLevi digs his hands into my clothes, tearing the garments to shreds as his tongue advances across my naked abdomen."Levi... Wa... Wait..." I ask between gasps.But it's impossible. Stopping him right now is like a child's attempt to catch the wind between his fingers. There's no way to stop it. It's a force of nature more than anything else.His mouth advances to my lingerie, pulling my pants off in a hurry and letting his tongue run over my sex. I moan in desperation and my legs tangle at the nape of his neck as he plunges inside me with his mouth. My hips rise and my hands lock between his hair as he lifts a hand to cup one of my breasts.My moans increase. Levi hurriedly pulls off his pants and then comes for me.He lays me on my side, spreading my legs with one of his hands and then penetrates me hard. I moan, feeling the pain that is soon accompanied by pleasure, and he bites down hard on my neck.One of his hands cups my breasts. The other begins to mas
"Oh, that one is really beautiful," June says with a smile on her lips. Her happiness is evident."Do you think so?" my brow furrows. I turn around and look at my body from all angles. "Don't you think it makes me look fat?""No. It brings out your curves," June assures me."She's right," Sophie points her champagne glass at me. "It really brings out the best side of your figure."I sigh"I don't know..." I start to say."Why don't you try another one?" June encourages me. "If you're not sure, you can always keep trying until you get the one you like.""Of course she can," Sophie lets out a sarcastic giggle and takes a sip of champagne. "You say that now. But when you've been here for five hours and after forty-seven dresses she hasn't made up her mind, you won't say the same thing."June makes a face of not being sure about it, as do I."It wasn't that many," I defend myself."Believe me," my best friend scoffs. "I counted them."I shake my head."No. This is n
Chapter 100: Ranger **Levi’s POV Hope and I look at each other in shock. I was definitely not expecting that. “If you let me out, then I will kill him,” he says, eerily blankly, “If I escape, I will kill him. I can’t help it. So you will need to kill me to ensure his safety.” “I don’t, I mean, I can’t do that,” Hope tells this strange creature in revulsion at the idea, “I will turn you over to the authorities. That is the only thing I can do. The only thing I will do.” “Very well,” it says, “They will probably kill me then. It is for the best.” Then the man begins his terrible shift back to the beast it was when he was captured. In a matter of moments, the man inside him is gone forever. I shiver at the thought of it. And at the howls that start up again the moment the shift is complete. “Dan is safe,” Hope tells me, her voice unsteady, “It worked. Thank the Goddess.” “You did excellent work,” I tell her, “You were the only one who could
Chapter 99: A different type of beast ***Levi’s POV “Dan, we’re going to play this safe,” Hope tells him seriously, “Amber and the twins definitely healed you. There’s no question of that. But just to be extra careful, the doctor and I want you to follow up with the medicine that you would have been prescribed if you hadn’t been healed. Antibiotics and doses of anti-venom. Every twelve hours for the next week.” I’m still shocked by this turn of events, but Dan seems to be handling all of this incredibly well. Ah, to be young again. “No problem,” he says with a smile, “I’ve got my life back! I’ll take whatever you think is best.” “And even though I know you feel great,” Hope continues with a smile, “Just do me a favor and humor me on this. Get some rest for the next week. You don’t actually have to remain in bed, that would be silly given how well you’ve already healed. You can still see friends, and I know that you’re going to meet with the school lat
Chapter 98: Grievously injured ***Amber’s POV “We’re on our way,” I tell him, “Where are you now?” “I brought him to Hope’s place,” August says sadly, “You need to hurry.” I look to my husband, who is sleeping so peacefully that it saddens me to wake him up. But Dan has been hurt, and if August has brought him to Hope’s place, he must be grievously injured. There is no time to waste. “My love,” I tell him softly, ‘I’m so sorry, but you need to wake up.” My husband stirs, and he looks so perfect lying there in bed that I want to make love all over again. But we need to go. “What is it, my love,” he asks, raising an eyebrow, “Are you ready to try the handcuffs on you this time?” “I am,” I tell him, “But unfortunately, that’s not why I woke you up. There’s been an accident. It’s Dan, and he needs our help.’ “What,” he asks, instantly alert, “What’s happened? Is he ok?” “August said he’s alive, but it’s bad,” I tell him sadly,
Chapter 97: Too powerful to be denied ** Amber’s POV “The first thing we need to do is figure out where you’re going to live,” I tell Dan, “Where have you been staying so far?” “I’m embarrassed about it, but lately I’ve been staying at that motel on Route 9,” he tells me, blushing, “The Black Swan. It’s terrible, and I absolutely hate it. But with my current financial situation, it’s the best that I can afford. Believe me, I’ve looked around.” I am horrified at the thought of a sixteen year old boy staying at that place. It is not a good place for anyone to stay. But anyone under eighteen staying there turns my stomach. Especially Dan, who is innocent despite what he has been forced to live through. Unacceptable. “Then tonight you’re staying with us,” I tell him firmly, “August, you take him out there to that terrible place to get his stuff, and bring him back as fast as you can.” “Are you sure,” Dan asks me, tentatively, “I mean, it’s so kind of
Chapter 96: Creative writing assignment ***Lev’s POV “Dan, you could have come to me,” I tell him sadly, “You could have come to me and told me what happened. I would have protected you. I would have found a place for you. Why did you think that you had to do all of that?” I remember how I felt when my father died. How terrified I was. How my grandmother preyed on that fear within me. Now as I try to envision what it would have been like if everyone I knew and loved was gone, I can’t help shivering. “With all due respect sir, I didn’t know you,” he tells me, and I can see the tears in his eyes that he wipes away quickly, “I didn’t know what to do. I was out of money, and out of options. My entire family, everyone I ever knew, was dead. I wanted to stay alive, and I did the only thing I could think of.” “And what did you think of,” I ask him, concerned for his response “How did you stay alive?” “Well, the thing is, I’m only sixteen,” he replies sa
Chapter 95: A little kinder *** Amber’s POV “Don’t look so surprised guys,” I tell everyone, “Look at it from my perspective. I’m sick of being in fear. Sebastian gave me nightmares, and it turns out that he was hearing voices in his head. Granted, that makes him scary for a completely different reason, but he didn’t know anything. He was useless. I don’t know what this guy’s deal is, but I’m going to see what I can find out about this nonsense, because I’ve had it.” My husband looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind. I know he only wants to protect me, but maybe it’s time that I started protecting myself. “My love,” he says to me, “I just don’t want you to have to deal with this. This is awful business. I’m supposed to protect you, and it feels strange to me to allow you to confront this man. We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet. I consider what my husband has said to me, and while I don’t agree with him, I appreciate his desire to keep me safe. I dec
Chapter 94: Best man for the job *** Levi’s POV “But I tried, I tried,” Sebastian is screaming, “I tried to deliver her to you! They got me first! I thought you would understand!” Elliot and I burst into the room together to see what’s going on. And we find no one. No one but Sebastian, screaming at someone who doesn’t appear to be there. “I did what you told me to do,” he continues, sobbing, and staring at something that neither Elliot nor I can see, “I have been your humble servant. Surely that counts for something!” “Sebastian,” I say, carefully, “Who are you talking to? What’s going on?” “Oh, don’t play with me Levi,” he says, crying uncontrollably, “Don’t pretend you don’t know. Say hello to Dr. Sherman. It’s over now. It’s OVER!” Elliot and I look at each other, and come to the same horrible realization: there is no boss. No Dr. Sherman. Sebastian has been taking orders from no one. All of this time, we thought he was the shifter wo
Chapter 93: Strike a deal ***Elliot’s POV “You know,” I tell Sebastian, leaning closer to really sell what I’m saying to him, “You don’t need to worry about Levi. Not really. He doesn’t have the stomach for what we know needs to be done. You and I, we’re different, you know?” It sickens me to say these things, but I need to find out who’s really behind the scenes here. And Levi can’t play this particular card. Sebastian knows where his interests lie. He may be crazy, but he’s not stupid. Not at all. So I’ll play the rogue shifter trying to get his payday if it means that Amber and the twins remain safe. Although I’m going to need to shower after this. Probably several times. Sebastian sickens me. I just hope I can hide my feelings long enough to figure out who he’s reporting to. “Yes, we are,” Sebastian says, and I can’t believe that he’s buying it, “But I think that the boss would prefer to reveal himself in person. You won’t have to wait long. He’s coming,
Chapter 92: As merciless as necessary ***Levi’s POV “Boss, we’ve got him,” Elliot exclaims, “We have Sebastian. We’ve finally got that bastard!” “Are you serious,” I ask him, whispering so as not to wake my wife, “Where is he? How did you find him?” I’m impressed. I knew we would get him eventually, but I had never even hoped that it would be this fast. It’s four o’clock in the morning, but only twenty four hours after I asked for help in his capture. Not bad at all. “He was wandering the streets,” he tells me, “My team found him in the park, muttering to himself. It was bizarre, actually. I thought he would be more stealthy than that.” “Yeah, so did I,” I tell him, thinking, “Where do you have him?” “We brought him directly to the place you said,” he responds, “That really was the best move.” The place he refers to is a facility I had my men create specifically to hold Sebastian. It is modeled on the facility he will ultimately reside