. "What are you trying to say? That we should never have run three years ago?" Hycinth asked with her lower lip trembling."Maybe...as much as I hate to admit it." I ran my hands through my hair. The more I thought about it, the more I questioned our decision because the facts all pointed to one conclusion. "What happened after he finally caught you? He did everything in his power to make you love him."Hycinth shook her head. "It's not that easy. Lucky, you didn't see his face that day. He wasn't happy to find out I was his mate. You heard him yourself. He thought of me as his whore when he first found out. That's not someone who intends to be gentle and loving.""True..." I acknowledged, "but happy or not, the bond is powerful. I haven't experienced it personally...and now I never will,"I swallowed to contain the lump in my throat before continuing, "but, I know it to be true. Think of it this way. How many names did you call him in those early days as well? We both did. Leander di
The following morning, Tommy and Frank showed up right on time for their almost daily tattoo sessions. Before Tommy could even get settled in the chair, I approached him. His attention sharpened instantly from the expression and my body language, but I couldn't hide my anxiety."What's up, Whiskey?""I've got to take a little trip. Not more than about two days, I hope.""Okay..." he responded, knowing there was more to come."We don't have any family here to keep an eye on Hycinth."Understanding lit his expression. "And you want us to look after her while you're away?"I nodded.Finally settling in the chair, he made eye contact with Hycinth and grinned. "That's easy enough, baby girl."My hands curled into fists. The timbre of my voice dropped into a warning, "Without the sexual innuendos.""What?" Tommy looked at me with the innocence of the newborn, but couldn't quite hide his smirk, and then he became serious, "She's family. You both are. Never think you are without again."Warmt
All of the animosity trained from her face, replaced by confusion. "I'm sorry for your loss, and I hope you get the answers you seek. But it is a very dangerous time right now. You are standing in the crosshairs of a volatile conflict. We have not been able to confirm where everyone's loyalties stand. For your own sake and that of your sister, it would be better for you to return to her right now. Stay away because the blood of many wolves is going to be shed.""I can't leave, not yet. Tell me what happened. Have you tried negotiations? I didn't come here for that, but maybe I can help." Truthfully, the last thing I wanted to involve myself with was a war. Hycinth needed me now more than ever.Sydney replied flatly, "We're at war because Hycinth left him."And then I understood...My heart sank.Swallowing thickly, I tried to contain my dread. "What happened to Leander?" Somehow, I just knew I wasn't going to like the answer.For the first time, all of her defenses were gone. Her bott
House of CardsLucky"Nooo!" Sydney dropped to her knees in front of me.I didn't need to explain.She fully understood just from my reaction. Arms wrapping around my shoulders, she held tight. Her voice quivered, "I'm so sorry, Luca."We sat on the floor for several minutes while I composed myself. Sydney was silent...just there with me.Kneeling for so long caused my legs to feel numb. I shifted position so that I was sitting on my butt with my back against the couch, my elbow resting on my bent knee. My head felt heavy, and I struggled to keep it up, finally just dropping it back on the couch behind me with my eyes closed.Sydney's voice came soft, "I want you to keep it."Lifting my head to look at her, I found she was also still sitting on the floor across from me. Her eyes glistened with emotion.I looked down at my still tightly clenched fist and opened it to reveal the tiny gold treasure. I was desperate to keep the little locket, but I didn't know Sydney's sentimental attachm
At her words. memories of Hycinth floated through my mind...her barely able to get out of bed and the haunted look in her dead eyes. I shook my head sadly. "Hycinth may have had the willpower to walk away, but what good is it when she's left miserable without him?"Sydney studied my expression. "Hycinth really wants to come back?"Bringing my other knee up, I rested both elbows on them and nodded. "She'd been making strides...grieving and facing the past. I hoped it would only be a matter of time before she was strong enough to make the decision on her own, and I think she was getting there slowly but surely. But she's devastated after everything the Oracle told us yesterday. Alpha Grant hurt so many wolves in his effort to manipulate her future. Right now, she's internalizing guilt for all of them and can't see how anyone would want her when she was the catalyst for all of the pain."Sydney contemplated my words. "The pack is hurting now without their Luna and the effect her absence
Hycinth was carrying the second-chance baby...which meant I would bet everything I owned that Leander's sister was the first-chance baby whose life was tragically cut short.Sydney continued quietly, "Every loss of life is tragic, especially one so precious and innocent, but we just couldn't understand if her destiny was to change the world, how could she have died? Our hope died that day with her. We didn't get it back until the week after Leander's mating ceremony. When all ten mated-pairs conceive, we felt it again. We don't know what it means. We've reached out to Memoree, but she has refused our requests to talk."I had the answers she was seeking......but there was no way I could tell her before Hycinth told Leander."How was your Luna pregnant without all of the packs knowing?" I don't remember even ever knowing that."We kept it a secret, trying to protect her and the unborn child.But Isabelle was too softhearted. She believed the lies when your mother reached out with a fal
FeralLuckyA storm was coming......and when he arrived, he would burn the world down to get to Hycinth.There would be nothing and no one who could stop the devastation he left in his wake.I just hoped he got there before Dagger could carry out whatever diabolical plan he had for her. I'd seen the craziness in that male's eyes. He wasn't right in the head even before Leander maimed him.I snapped out of my dark thoughts. I still had work to do. There had to be a way to trace the license plate. I worked to keep my fingers from trembling as I dialed Tommy's number."What's up, Whiskey?" Tommy answered on the first ring, his voice instantly wary. I didn't normally call him, and certainly, not late at night.My throat was bone dry as I gritted out, "I need your help.""Fuck, "he swore. "What's going on? Is it Abby? I mean, Hycinth. Is she okay?"I worked to keep my emotion at bay. "No, Tommy, she's not.Someone abducted her. I got the plate, but I don't have any resource to run it."Wi
Abruptly, my father's audible voice came from my behind me, "We'll be out of mind link range. Do you have phones on you?"I spun around to face him.But Ever answered for me, "Yes. We've pack communication and back up power." He finished zipping up the bag in front of him and turned to assess the progress of his team of wolves. Most were ready to go.Walking to Ever's side, I said quietly, "If you want to stay..."His expression hardened, making his answer clear, but I continued anyway, "You know this might mean an imminent attack on our border. You have a pup on the way." I wouldn't take this choice away from him, not when he had so much at stake.A muscle in his jaw flexed. "Leander, I belong by your side.Cyril, Asher and the other warriors will protect what's mine."My throat tightened. I gave a hard nod.The rest of the warriors were silent now, prepared and ready to go.As we made our way out the door to the waiting vehicle's, Sydney was just entering the compound. What was she
Leander's povHycinth's startled lake-blue eyes quickly cut from person to person.Her audience sat in rapt attention, smiles and excitement radiating on their faces, waiting for her to say something.But Hycinth's countenance reflected a far different reaction from theirs. Brows furrowing closer with each sweep of her confused gaze, Hycinth abruptly clutched her rounded abdomen protectively and sank as far away into the bed as she could.Instantly, I delved into her mental state, dreading what I would find.FearApprehensionMistrustMy heart dropped.Certainly not the happy reunion I had foolishly hoped for. Hycinth sucked in a harsh breath, unable to keepup with her continuously accelerating heartbeat.She blinked back tears.Without even a word to coordinate their identical reactions, Ever, Asher and Milo all stepped forward and lifted their mates. "Time to go," Ever spoke gruffly. Expression stricken, Gwen reached toward Hycinth, her mouth opening but no sound came out as Ever c
Glancing over, I found Gwen's expression radiating with happiness, tears streaming down her face.Confused by both of their responses and fearful of the unknown, Ever asked urgently, "What...what's happening?"Eyes wide, Gwen whispered, "It's a mate bond.""What?" Ever asked blankly while I echoed with my own shocked, "What the hell?""It feels like the first time I saw you," she giggled softly.Ever shook his head. "But that's not possible.""I don't know how to explain it. It just feels that way."I had no idea what Gwen had actually felt, but I agreed with Ever. I'd never heard of such a thing before.Refocusing on Hycinth, Gwen gently smoothed a strand of hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.After a long moment, Ever murmured, "I think we should bring Willow in." "Ooh, that's a good idea," Gwen instantly agreed and looked up at me expectantly.I held a hand up. "Wait. I don't know about that. Yes, Hycinth seemed to react well, but what if more people becomes too much
Ever squeezed my shoulder."I intend to stay by her side and take care of her until she's awake."Quiet agreement was murmured as they nodded their heads. Eagerness to help was transparent on their faces.From the corner of my eye, I saw Gwen carefully make her way through the crowd toward me. Once she reached my side, her little chin came up, fierce determination in her expression. "Leander, let me help you care for her."I hesitated. "That's okay. I can handle it."Clearly unwilling to take no for an answer, she continued, "Leander, I know you love her but she is going to need more care than just you. Ever explained a little bit of what you're dealing with. I love her too. I knew there was no way she was aware of the full atrocities her parents had inflicted. She couldn't. Her innocence was too transparent and her sweetness of spirit. Nobody is that good of an actress. I am your Beta Female. Now, let me do my job."From my back, Ever murmured, "I think it's a good idea."Somewhat su
Leander's povShort beams of moonlight descended from above, intermittent strokes of luminosity breaking through the dense forest canopy as we ran. We didn't need the light. Wolf vision provided striking clarity of the landscape in almost absolute darkness, but even without such a gift, we probably would have been able to successfully navigate the terrain blindfolded. Each of us knew these woods like the back of our hands.Within minutes, the dimness of the forest gave way, revealing a soft glow twenty feet ahead. Not much farther now. My gait slowed, legs feeling heavier with every step. I hated losing wolves. It never got any easier to say goodbye.Finally crossing the tree line, I stepped out into the clearing and stopped. The drums fell silent.To my right stood four unmistakable structures. Meticulously prepared, each fallen Wolf had been anointed with spices and dressed in noble tribal fare. Six feet off the ground, bodies cradled in suspense by an intricately woven labyrinth of
Leander"No!" Hycinth's scream pierced the darkness.Instantly awake, every particle in my body felt like it had been lit on fire. "What is it, love? What's wrong?"Little fists pummeled my chest. Her frail body thrashed in the bed next to me. "Don't touch me!"Still snared by unconsciousness, it was clear the battle was in her mind.Primal instinct drove me forward. I had no intention of letting her fight this adversary alone. Without thought, I blew our partial mate bond. wide open and delved into her subconscious. For a moment, I was disoriented by the chaos in her head. Stark fear swirled amidst nightmare images-darkness stained with slashes of red, so much blood. No concern for her own welfare, but desperately fighting for the precious innocent she carried in her belly."It's okay, you're safe!" I whispered urgently while trying to contain her flailing limbs without hurting her.Torment all-consuming, she couldn't hear me. Continuing to fight her imaginary foe, she violently wres
The cabin door opened just wide enough for Sydney to slip inside. Cool blue eyes flickering to take in the scene around her, Sydney naturally settled into the chair across the room and waited for me to speak.Not wanting to risk stressing Hycinth, I continued to use the mind link, "I need you to stay with her tomorrow night."Sydney nodded, no break in her stoic expression, ever diligent to her duties. But I knew her better than that. The slightest twitch of pain in her eyes didn't escape my attention, revealing her struggle just as all of us mourned such a heavy loss."I don't know how... I'm going to leave her, "I murmured, getting to the heart of the matter.It was Sydney's turn to read my expression, to hear all of the words I'd left unsaid, just as I knew she would. She couldn't repair my stress but immediately, the Delta in her began to plan, "For those hours, we could increase the Sentinels in number and tighten the perimeter around the cabin. Additionally, the bikers-""Bikers
LEANDER'S POV"Leander," Grace's thoughts drifted through the pack mind link we shared. "Hycinth needs your attention."Instantly, I rose to my feet.Startled by my abrupt change in position, Ever lurched to his feet, chest puffed out, ready for a fight.I expected Ever's reaction, but what surprised me was Luca's similar response. Certainly lacking of any decent Alpha experience he could trust, betrayed by the one male he thought loved him the most, I wouldn't have begrudged Luca's reluctance to blindly follow another Alpha so quickly, especially me. But there was no hesitancy in his response as he stood ready, hands out, naturally aligning himself to Ever's body to provide me with optimal cover."Sorry," I muttered as I walked away toward the lakeside cabin. I hadn't meant to alarm them. No further words were necessary. I felt their heightened emotions calm.Breaching the entryway, I watched Sydney gently release Hycinth's hand, lean forward and place a barely-there kiss on her fore
"I know," he replied, "and I'm sorry to put you through this again, but I need to know...what her body went through."I studied his expression.He explained softly, "I can't help her if I don't know.""Okay." I ran a hand roughly through my already disheveled hair as I pulled back images I never wanted to think about again. "From the glimpse I saw into her mind and confirmation from those in the room, I think only two penetrated her vaginally but her wounds indicate her bottom was also violated, probably with claws."Luca's brows went up. "You could see that...in her mind?""Yes," I ground out through my teeth. In my head, my Wolf snarled furiously at the memories. "Thankfully, it appeared Hycinth was unconscious, at least during the time those two bastards defiled her.""What else?""The bruises and wounds on her body were too many to count. She had several spinal breaks that we could feel, likely incurred from multiple kicks due to the massive boot prints left behind on her back, bu
LeanderA sudden northeastern gust of wind rustled through the trees, causing several russet-colored leaves to lose their already tenuous hold on the branches above us and flutter to the ground. Autumn had settled in since Hycinth had left me. Three long months. More than half of her pregnancy. The thought was staggering.Ever's head came up, his astute gaze automatically scanning the horizon."But I don't think so," Luca murmured quietly."What do you mean?""After Oracle Memoree visited us and we finally knew the truth, in all of its ugly glory," he flinched, green eyes losing focus for a moment before continuing, "the plan was to contact you...figure a way to reach out as soon as I returned from our old pack. Hycinth wasn't in great shape...she didn't think you or the pack would want her back...but she wanted to try.""The pack?" I raised an eyebrow. "Why would Hycinth think the pack wouldn't want her back?"Luca's shoulders pulled back, his tone clearly communicating his personal