SIERRA
“May I come in, Sierra?”
I blinked as I stared open-mouthed at the man standing in front of the porch. The Lycan King in the flesh and I have just rudely spoken to him.
“Sierra?” he prompted her, gesturing to the door.
In a daze, I pulled the door open and watched him enter the house. Just then my mom came and smiled when she saw the Lycan King.
“You’re here,” my mom smiled at him, “And I see you've met Sierra.”
I glared at my mom finally snapping out of my daze, “The Lycan King is your mate?!”
My mom and the man chuckled as he stared at her fondly and I could see the admiration in his eyes. My father had never looked at her that way before.
“Calm down, Sierra, I’m just your mother’s mate,” he said to me, chuckling.
I shook my head still staring at my mom, “Mom, a little heads-up would have been nice.”
My mom rolled her eyes, “Stop being dramatic, and come let’s eat.”
I followed them to the dining table where the table had been set with various delicious dishes including my mom’s signature chicken stew.
“Mmh, you've outdone yourself, Maya,” the Lycan King complimented my mom.
She blushed and he kissed her cheeks. I was impressed, she looked so happy. She has never looked this happy in a long time.
Now I understood why she said Alpha Elvis wouldn’t be a problem for us any longer because no one in their right senses would dare come after us with the Lycan King by our side.
My mom and the Lycan King were giggling and discussing irrespective of my presence. I noticed he sneaked her looks and kisses now and then. I saw the admiration shining in his eyes and I knew he was head over heels in love with my mom.
“Do you love my mom?” I asked suddenly, wanting to hear his answer.
They stopped eating as he held my mom’s hands, “With all my heart, Sierra, I love your mom. Maya came into my life like a bright light. After my first mate died shortly after my sons were born my life has never been the same, I never thought for one day that I would ever get to meet my mate. But I’m so glad I did and I’m so glad it’s Maya.”
All through his speech he had maintained eye contact with my mom. Not once did he look away and his eyes were filled with so much love it made me wonder if my father ever loved my mom.
“I’m so sorry about your first mate, My King,” I apologized.
The Lycan King shook his head, “Everything happens for a reason, Sierra. The plus side is I got to meet your mom, and she's a wonderful woman. I also would like you to call me Thane, if you're comfortable with it.”
My eyes widened with surprise, “But My King, that would be…”
I trailed off not knowing what else to say. The man raised his eyebrows and seemed adamant about me calling him his name.
“Thane,” I called the name rolling off my tongue.
He chuckled as he stared at my mother and kissed her nose affectionately, “I like her.”
I was truly happy to see my mom look so happy. She looked younger than her age and kept blushing. Unlike how unhappy and aged she would always look when with my father.
For a moment I almost wished to experience the kind of love she had with the Lycan King but I stopped myself before I could get further. There was no point in being delusional.
My mom stared at me, a small smile forming on her lips. I noticed the nervous creases on her forehead and I frowned.
“What is it?” I asked her.
She stared at the Lycan King and she nodded at him like she was encouraging him to speak.
“Sierra, your mom and I have something important to discuss with you,” he said.
A sense of deja vú washed over me. The last time I heard this phrase was the last time my mom and I were sold off.
“No, no, not like that, Sierra,” my mom said immediately sensing my discomfort and knowing where my thoughts were headed.
The Lycan King stared at me with a concerned look, “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn't mean to trigger any unpleasantness, Sierra.”
I smiled at him and nodded. I was glad for his sincerity and his apology. Growing up in a world where men always trampled women it felt good to meet a man who appreciated women and knew how to apologize.
“It’s alright, Thane,” I smiled, still trying to adjust myself to the fact that I’m allowed to call the Lycan King by his name.
“What I was trying to say is that I would like your permission to finally claim your mother as my mate and make her my Queen,” he said.
I gasped, staring at my blushing mother. She was practically glowing beside the Lycan King.
“There’s no pressure, Sierra, we just wanted you to know and then think over it,” my mom said to me.
I shook my head, “I’m game! He can claim you, you guys look so good and happy together, that's all that matters.”
My mom exclaimed excitedly giggling as she hugged me before she and King Thane kissed. I looked away happily for them.
Normally I wouldn't have agreed so quickly to the mating ceremony but knowing that Alpha Elvis could be around the corner at any time I wanted her to be fully protected.
“I’m so glad you are fine with everything,” King Thane said to me.
I nodded as something suddenly piqued in my memory. He mentioned he had sons.
“I do have a question, Kin–Thane,” I said, correcting myself with a slight chuckle.
He nodded, “Go ahead, Sierra. Whatever you need.”
“You mentioned your mate gave you sons. What about them? Are they alright with you mating with my mom?” I asked.
King Thane chuckled, “They’re adorable babies, they are quite a handful but I’m sure you can handle them. And I don't believe they have any issue with me mating with your mom, she met them once and they're charming.”
“Yes, they're very adorable cuties,” my mom added grinning.
I nodded, “Okay, when do you want to do the mating ceremony?”
“Today,” My mom and King Thane announced excitedly.
I nodded, it was too soon but it was for the best. The earlier the better.
“That sounds good. I better start preparing.”
I went inside the bedroom and my mom joined me shortly after. I stared at her.
“You’re happy,” I stated.
She nodded, “I am. And you're going to be happy too.”
I raised an eyebrow at her, “Does he know?”
She knew what I meant and she smiled softly, “He knows enough.”
I nodded, that was good enough for me.
***
The next few hours were filled with a flurry of events as we were whisked away from our small house to a luxurious palace that would become our new home.
It seemed my mom and King Thane had already planned out everything so even if I had disagreed she would have still tried to convince me.
My mom was dressed in a beautiful white dress while I wore a peach-colored dress. I was supposed to be at my best today.
We were standing on the podium in the Grand Hall. I still haven't met the King’s babies. I guess being a big sister to them isn't so bad.
My mom was standing in front of King Thane as the Elders conducted the mating ceremony. Then he marked her and they became one.
The crowd went wild with cheers as my mom went from being an Alpha to a runaway slave and now to a Lycan Queen.
I stared at her proudly as she appreciated the crowd and I saw the light in her eyes again. I saw the way the King stared at her and I knew he loved her.
They turned toward me, smiling happily.
“I just received word, Sierra, your brothers are here. They arrived late because they had to deal with a disturbance on the frontline,” King Thane said to me.
“Disturbance? I thought they were babies?” I asked him.
He chuckled, “They are my babies. My fearsome warriors. Come, let me introduce you.”
I followed him out of the hall and then I saw them.
“Sierra, meet Zane, Kane, and Dane. Your new brothers,” King Thane announced.
The three boys with silver eyes from earlier. The devils who had attacked Orion and had tried to bully me at the store. I gasped, these handsome devils were my brothers?
Suddenly the sweet-smelling scent of pine and rain wafted through my nose as I stared at their dumbfounded expression.
“Holy shit!” one of them exclaimed.
The scent overwhelmed me and I felt the world slightly tilted and unable to breathe.
I fell.
The last thing I remembered before the darkness overwhelmed me was sharp silver eyes staring down at me.
SIERRA“–stress-induced. She’ll be fine.”My eyes fluttered open as I managed to hear the last words of an unfamiliar man. I groaned, massaging my temples and instantly I saw my mom at my side. “Oh, honey, you gave us quite a fright,” my mom said. I was still slightly disoriented as I looked around the room trying to figure out why I was in an unfamiliar room that was decorated with my favorite band wallpapers. “Where are we?” I asked my mom, stifling a yawn. “You don't remember?” my mom asked with a frown. I saw the man discussing with King Thane as they left the room leaving me alone with my mom. The memories of the day flashed into my mind as I also recalled the triplets and the scent that had filled my nostrils before I passed out. “Shit!” I cursed. My mom frowned, “Language, Kiddo.”I sighed, “Sorry, Mom. What happened?”“You fainted after being introduced to the triplets,” my mom answered. I facepalmed mentally, “Oh boy. I think I made a mistake Mom.”My mom frowned, “Wh
SIERRAI stared at the three boys but the one with the most cruel expression was Kane. I could feel the hatred he had for me emanating from him. I had no idea why he hated me so much, especially since I hadn't done anything. Except for the fact that I had called them monsters. “Why?” my voice broke as I asked the question that was on my lips.I still haven't been able to wrap my head around the fact that these three brothers were my mates. I also had to accept the fact that they cloaked their scent so they wouldn't have to reject me. “Why? What have I done?” I asked, tears streaming down my cheeks. I've never really cared about getting a mate especially after I've worked in that bar and seen how things were done. But now that I could feel the intense bond between the three of them, the mere thought of losing them was enough to drive me crazy. Now I understood how my mother felt when she gave her pack to her first mate. The mate bond feeling was more powerful than anything else and
KANE“Are you alright?” I glanced behind me to see Dane walking toward me. He could always move around without being detected. We all had that ability but Dane’s own was more pronounced and sometimes it got on my nerves like right now. “Go away,” I snapped at him. Dane ignored me as always and sat down beside me on the bench as he stared at the stars with me. I always came here whenever I needed to think or to get away from people. This was my favorite spot in the garden because it was hidden and quiet and I could see the stars from there. “You know I never listen,” Dane said to me. I rolled my eyes and ignored him. I wasn't going to talk to him right now, especially not after the stunt he pulled earlier. “I had to do it,” Dane said. I still ignored him and kept staring at the stars hoping he would get the message and leave me alone. But I knew better than to ignore Dane, he would just get more persistent. “You are gonna have to talk to me eventually,” Dane said. I glared a
SIERRA “What did you do?” I frowned when I saw my mom staring at me with judgy eyes. She had joined me in my bedroom after we left the garden. “What do you mean, Mom?” I asked her. She scoffed, “Please, Sierra, be honest.”I was still confused as to why she expected me to know what she was talking about so I gave her a blank look. “I don't know what you mean, Mom,” I stated. “I sent you to apologize to the boys and the next minute they're fighting, what did you do?” my mom asked. I frowned, “Why did you assume I did something?” My mom arched a perfectly carved eyebrow at me, “Because you're my daughter.”I sighed, “I didn't do anything.”For some reason, I knew it wouldn't be a good idea to tell everyone that I was mated to three brothers but then I decided to ask the question that had been bugging me. “Mom, I have a question,” I started, trying to hide the nervousness that washed over me. My mom gave me a serious look and nodded, “Ask away.”“Is there any record of a she-wo
SIERRAThe three boys stared at me like I had just said something outrageous. All of a sudden Kane burst into laughter as he glared at me. “Everyone may fall for your bullshit but not me. I can see right through you!” he snapped at me. I frowned, “I’m serious.”Dane sighed, “It’s too early for this, Sierra. We still have these horrible cuffs because of yesterday’s fight.”I frowned, I had seen those cuffs from this morning and I wondered what they were. “What does it do?” I asked Dane.Dane cleared his throat and stared at me, “Haven’t you noticed anything?”I stared at him again and I gasped, “Your eyes, they're brown.”Dane nodded, “Yup. These pesky things are blocking our powers. Without powers, our eyes become like every other person.” I sighed, “I’m sorry.”Kane scowled, “If this bullshit is over I’d like to get back inside and away from you.”I glared at him as an intense feeling of rage overwhelmed me. “What the fuck is your problem with me?” I snarled. The two brothers s
SIERRAMy heart pounded in my chest as the doorknob turned while I sat frozen in bed with Zane looking like a deer caught in headlights. “Why is the door locked?” my mom’s voice sounded from outside. Her voice was enough to break us out of our trance-like state as I stated at Zane panicking. He placed a finger on his lips gesturing for me to be quiet. We remained seated in silence as the sage kept burning so no one would be able to hear us and I was glad because nobody would have heard my crazy moans. Thinking about it now made me blush furiously even though my mother was waiting outside. After a few minutes, however, my mom retreated from the door muttering under her breath about where I went. “That was a close call,” Zane said. I nodded as I suddenly realized I was naked and he was staring at me. I grabbed the duvet and wrapped it around my body as I tried to stop the redness that spread on my cheeks. Zane gave me a confused look, “Are you hiding?” I shrugged, “Can you turn
KANEEver since I got cuffed I realized that the intense and overwhelming emotions I felt for Sierra were reducing and it made me feel good. But today my father decided he would uncuff me and he also wanted me to spend time with her. I knew he had sent me to buy the supplies for her so we could bond. He figured I would like her more if I got to know her. The truth of the matter was that I wasn't angry with Sierra. I was angry at myself for feeling the way I was feeling toward her when I knew that all she would bring was doom and destruction. The last time we had defied a prophecy my mom died and we almost lost our father and now Sierra just had to enter the picture. I was doing my best to avoid her at the mall because the moment my father uncuffed me I got slammed with the feelings I had been trying to suppress of her. Then she had called me to come and do something about her zipper and I knew if care wasn't taken I would lose it today. The moment my fingers grazed her skin it f
DANEAmong the three of us, I've always been the one with the calm mind who tried to maintain the peace between Kane and Zane who were always at each other’s throats. But right now as I stared at Zane’s smug face and the words he had just said, it made me want to punch him in the face. And without thinking I swung my fist at him and I heard a sickening crack that satisfied me. Zane and Kane’s expressions mirrored the same – shock. “What the fuck?!” Zane exclaimed, holding his bloodied nose. “It will heal in a few minutes,” I said to him with a shrug. Kane stared at me like I had just gone crazy, “Are you high?” I shrugged, “It just felt very satisfying to punch him in the face.”All of a sudden Kane burst into laughter while Zane stared at us, anger swirling in his eyes. “Are you done?” Zane asked him when he stopped laughing. Kane held up his hand, “Not yet,” then he continued rolling on the floor in laughter. I couldn't help it, I joined in, and soon three of us were rollin
SIERRAThe wind hit me like a punch to the chest, stealing the breath from my lungs. One second I was standing firm, ready to fight, and the next, I was spinning through the air like a leaf in a storm. My hair whipped around my face, stinging my skin, and I couldn’t even scream before everything went dark.It felt like I was falling through nothingness, tumbling helplessly with no sense of direction. My heart pounded wildly, and my mind screamed for me to get a grip, but there was nothing to grab, nothing to hold on to. Just air, and chaos, and the roaring sound of the wind in my ears.Then, bam!I hit the ground hard. Flat on my back. The impact knocked the air out of me in a single, painful gasp, and for a second, all I could do was lie there, staring up at the sky, my chest heaving as I tried to breathe. My head spun like I’d been on a roller coaster that flipped too many times.“What the hell…” I gasped, trying to sit up, though my body felt like it weighed a ton.Everything hurt.
ASTRIDAriel stood there, grinning like she owned the entire world. I hated that smile. I hated everything about her. But I wasn’t going to back down, not now. Not ever.“You think you scare me?” I said, tilting my chin up, staring her down. “What are you going to do, Ariel? Hurt me? Kill me? You already did worse to Celia.”At the mention of Celia’s name, something dark flickered in her eyes, and I knew I’d hit a nerve. But before I could savor that small victory, a sharp, searing pain exploded inside me.I gasped, doubling over as the heat spread through my veins. It felt like my blood was boiling, like fire was eating me alive from the inside.“What…” I choked out, clutching my chest.Ariel laughed, a cold, cruel sound that echoed around the room. “Even though you’re cold-blooded, Astrid, I can still make you burn.”I howled in pain, falling to my knees as the burning intensified. My vision blurred, and all I could hear was Ariel’s laughter, loud and merciless.“Stop!” I screamed,
ARIELThe room felt cooler after Elise left, and I stood there for a moment, basking in the afterglow of her compliments. It had been a long time since someone admired me so openly. Most of these vampires only followed me out of fear. But Elise? She looked at me like I was a queen. That felt… good.I shook off the feeling, flipping my hair over my shoulder. Enough of that. I wasn’t here to make friends or play nice. I was here to rule. And if what Elise said was true, it was time to remind Astrid exactly who was in charge.With that thought in mind, I made my way through the winding hallways until I reached the west wing. It didn’t take long to find her. Astrid was sprawled on a plush velvet sofa like she owned the place, one leg casually draped over the armrest. Her long silver hair shimmered in the dim light, and her red-painted lips were curled into that same smug smile she always wore. The one that made my blood simmer.She looked up lazily as I stepped inside, her ice-blue eyes n
SIERRAI stormed through the woods, my fists clenched so tight my nails were digging into my palms. I didn’t care. The pain was nothing compared to the rage boiling inside me. How dare they? How dare they even consider giving in to Ariel’s demands? After everything we’ve been through, after everything I’ve fought for, they wanted to just… hand me over like I was some kind of bargaining chip. Like I didn’t have a say in my own life.“No, no, no,” I muttered to myself, kicking a rock out of my way. “This isn’t happening. I’m not doing this. I’m not some damsel who needs saving.”But no matter how much I tried to push the anger away, it clung to me, thick and heavy, making my chest ache. I couldn’t breathe. My vision blurred with hot, angry tears, and before I knew it, I was pulling out my phone and dialing my mom.She picked up on the second ring.“Sierra, honey, what’s wrong?”I didn’t even get a word out before the tears came. Big, ugly sobs that made it hard to speak. “Mom… I… I can’
ARIELThe cool night air wrapped around me as I stepped back inside, and for the first time in days, I felt at ease. A smile tugged at my lips, slow and lazy, as I let the quiet satisfaction sink in. Everything felt… right. After all the chaos, after dealing with those annoying whispers of rebellion and the endless sniveling of the others, I could finally breathe.This was my place now. My power. And everything, every vampire, every shadow in this place belonged to me.As I strolled through the dimly lit halls, I took in the sight of the vampires standing in line, their heads bowed respectfully as I passed. Obedient little soldiers. Not one of them dared look me in the eye, and that was exactly how I liked it.I hummed softly to myself, feeling unusually light. Maybe I’d throw a party later. Something extravagant. Blood, music, dancing. A night of celebration for me. I’d earned it, after all. It wasn’t easy keeping these creatures in line, but I’d done it. I’d fought my way to the top
SIERRAI burst out laughing. I couldn’t help it. Ariel had finally lost it. Completely.“You’re delusional,” I said, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye as the last bit of laughter slipped out. “Dane? Stay with you? That’s the best joke I’ve heard all day. You really think I’d let that happen?”Ariel tilted her head, smiling slow and smug like she knew some grand secret I didn’t. Like she was already winning some twisted game she’d invented. It made my blood boil.“Think about it,” she said sweetly, her voice practically dripping with fake innocence. Then, without giving me a chance to snap back, she vanished into thin air, leaving nothing behind except the suffocating weight of her words.I let out a shaky breath, trying to calm the anger buzzing under my skin, but it wasn’t working. My fists were still clenched, and my heart was still racing. I was about to say something, anything, to break the heavy silence she’d left behind when Dane’s voice cut through the tension.“It’d be b
SIERRAIt felt like I couldn’t breathe. Ariel was standing right there, smirking like she owned the place, and honestly, in her mind, she probably did. She carried herself like a queen surveying her kingdom, and her energy was suffocating, pressing down on the room like a storm about to unleash destruction. It felt heavy, thick with danger, and I knew, deep down, that she could do anything she wanted, and no one here could stop her.“What do you want, Ariel?” I asked, forcing the words out even though my voice shook. I hated how small I sounded, but I couldn’t help it. She was terrifying. I tried to steady myself, but my hands were trembling, and my heart was pounding so hard I was sure everyone in the room could hear it. “Haven’t you done enough? Or are you not done torturing me yet?”Ariel tilted her head slightly, like she was thinking about it, and her eyes gleamed with amusement. That smirk on her face made my blood boil, but it also scared me. She looked like she was having fun,
ASTRIDI waited until Ariel was gone. It wasn’t easy sneaking around her anymore. She seemed to be everywhere and nowhere all at once. But the moment she disappeared, I grabbed the small communicator we’d hidden under the floorboards. It was a miracle it hadn’t been destroyed yet.I pressed the button. “It’s me. We need to talk. Now.”There was silence for a few seconds, then a crackle. A deep voice answered, sounding tired and defeated. “Astrid? What do you want now?”“What do you think?” I snapped. “It’s time we fight back. We can’t keep hiding like rats while Ariel tears everything apart.”A bitter laugh echoed through the line. It was cold and sharp, the kind of laugh that made your skin crawl. “Fight back? Against her? You’ve lost it, Astrid.”“Have I?” I shot back, pacing the room in tight circles. My footsteps were almost loud enough to drown out the pounding of my heart, but not quite. “Or are we just sitting here waiting to die? Because that’s what it feels like. Every day, s
ZANEI barged into the room, slamming the door behind me so hard it rattled in its frame. Kane, sitting cross-legged on the bed with his arms folded, looked up sharply, his frown deepening.“Zane, what the hell?” His eyes scanned my face, clearly picking up on my panic. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”“It’s Sierra,” I blurted out, my chest heaving as I tried to catch my breath. My thoughts were racing, and the words tumbled out before I could organize them properly. “Something’s wrong. Seriously wrong.”Kane immediately sat up straighter, his expression changing from irritation to concern in a split second. “What do you mean? Where is she?”“She’s losing it, man,” I said, pacing. “She was talking about the Moon Goddess, mumbling stuff I didn’t understand. Then she just… broke down. Screaming, crying… I’ve never seen her like that.”Dane ran a hand down his face, looking tense. “Ever since we came here, things have been falling apart for her.”“Tell me about it,” I muttered.“She