Several hands had left both of our bodies and the sounds of sex, some in skin and others in fur, escalated around us. Wolves rutting, almost to the point of violence, entirely focused on each other with a single drive to procreate.Hycinth was staring to my right. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. I followed her line of sight.Ever had Gwen on her hands and knees and was taking her from behind. I wasn't surprised to see them in action. But what was unexpected was to find Hycinth's and Gwen...locked in each other's gazes.Hmm...Hycinth had declined earlier when I asked her to let the wolves see, but it was clear, she had no problems watching.Ever hadn't missed their interaction either. He eyed Hycinth with a smirk. When her glance cut to his, he winked at her, not breaking his rhythm.Hycinth turned away, a beautiful pink blush creeping up Hycinth's neck, coloring her cheeks. But her embarrassment at being caught staring didn't stop her from squirming and looking up a
LeanderI sat back on my knees. A few wolves remained around us, but most had already left, sufficiently sated enough to stop fucking for the time it took to make it home where they would likely continue through the night.Hycinth still hadn't said a word after my pleas to stay and declaration of love. Instead, she lay perfectly still, eyes closed, her breathing uneven. A single tear rolled down her cheek.I guess I had my answer...My throat locked tight, unable to even swallow past the boulder lodged inside it.After everything we had been through.The last three days...And she still wasn't convinced.The last spark of hope inside my chest died.I lifted off of her and stood to my feet. Hycinth's eyes snapped open at my movement. I held out my hand. She took it, letting me help her up."Let's take a shower," I grunted, working to keep my voice steady."Okay," she whispered as she let me guide her back to the cottage.I was almost surprised by her willingness to remain naked with me
When daylight broke, Hycinth stirred beneath the covers. Not quite awake, she instinctually reached for my side of the bed. Finding it empty, she sat up and looked around the room. Hair disheveled, confusion colored her expression for a moment until her eyes rested on me. And then, I could see her remember that today wasn't like our previous days.Today, she was leaving me. Her face fell.Without speaking, she got up and went into the bathroom.I stared down at my hands. Dread churned an uneasy pit in my stomach.Several minutes later, Hycinth returned, hair combed, the makeup smudges beneath her eyes removed.Pushing myself wearily to my feet, I walked across the room to her.Hycinth froze mid-step, one hand extended to stop me from coming any closer. "Leander, I can't.""I know," I muttered. "I just need to...tell you something."Hycinth's brows furrowed, recognizing distress in my features. "What is it?" she asked softly.My heart twisted painfully in my chest.Damnit, Ever! Even t
MotivationsHycinthMy Wolf's howling had echoed in my mind, panic and devastation ripping through her as she watched her mate walk away. But now, the only thing that remained was silence.I needed to comfort her. She would make it through this just as I would, but I was in no frame of mind to be of use to anyone right then. Tears coursed down my cheeks. I'd dreaded the moment I had to walk away from Leander. I'd known it would hurt. I just never anticipated feeling such striking emptiness and...lack of purpose. There was a gaping hole in my chest that I suspected would never be filled again.I also hadn't been prepared for Leander to bring up his mother right then, and I certainly wasn't emotionally prepared for the conversation, not while we were on the cusp of saying goodbye. I cringed as remembered the harsh words spoken. I wished there'd been a way to speak the truths of my heart without destroying him, but my chaotic frame of mind had resulted in cold, hard responses.On one han
But once I'd given them everything that they wanted, would Leander have just let it go and foregone his natural instinct for retribution? My parents hadn't been the very first to kill between our packs. We were at war. The killing had gone on before them for decades. It was our way. It was hard enough for me to deny my base wolf instinct for retribution and Leander was an Alpha.I highly doubted we would have lived happily ever after, and I certainly wouldn't have been allowed to just walk away right now because regardless of my mate status, punishment for a war crime as severe as killing a parent would have to have been enacted. Heck, Leander had spanked me in front of his entire pack just for slapping him. It wasn't very realistic to think he would've just let it go if I had been the one to kill his mother. No, that truth would remain with him day and night just like it did me.A knock at the door interrupted by chaotic thoughts.Lifting my head, I realized I was on my knees. When h
LeanderHycinth was gone...Ever didn't have to confirm it with words. His haggard expression, hard lines etching his face, deep brown eyes glistening with agony, told me all I needed to know. He stood inside the door of the study, rigid and unmoving, looking at me like he'd just been sucker punched.I knew the feeling...Neither of us said anything. We just stared at each other, communicating with the reflection of our souls in our eyes because mere words were obscenely inadequate at the moment. I'd known Ever my entire life. He was my best friend. He knew absolutely everything about me, good, bad and ugly. I didn't have to speak for him to hear the unspoken question on my lips: What the fuck do I do now?I seriously had no idea.After a long moment, Ever finally broke the silence. "Fuck. Leander, I..." his voice hitched, "I'm...sorry."What did one say in a moment like this? Maybe there was something appropriate. Unfortunately, I'd drank so much in the last hour, my brain was floati
I Can't BreatheHycinthAs the highest ranking member, Tommy, the Grimm MC's Sgt. in Arms, rode point with Leroy by his side. Luca and I followed behind him with the Enforcers surrounding us and Frank positioned at the back.Keeping my head tucked down in the back of Lucky's neck, I clutched his torso tightly. Eyes squeezed shut, I let the familiar rev and vibration of the motors block out my chaotic thoughts. I had no idea how to explain to them what had happened to us. Two hours later, we pulled into a diner. Lucky slowed and eased the motorcycle to a stop. Climbing down from behind him, I desperately worked to pull myself together, swiping my thumbs over my damp cheeks and smoothing hair out of my face. As we walked together into the diner, Lucky kept his body positioned slightly in front of mine. His frame was locked tight, stretching to his full height, chest puffed out, presenting himself as a formidable deterrent to anyone who might make the mistake of coming near me.The dine
Was I done with Leander? The memory of Leander's hurt and betrayed face flashed before my eyes. Yes, I was done...I didn't have a choice, not anymore. I swallowed thickly, trying to generate enough saliva in my mouth to speak. It didn't help. Lifting the cold drink to my lips, I took a few sips of iced tea before setting the glass down. "Y-Yes."Tommy's intelligent gaze remained trained on my face. From his expression, it was clear he hadn't missed the conflict in my response but then seemed to let it go, lifting his drink to his lips. Ice clinked in the glass as he turned it up and swallowed the remaining liquid inside.The conversation at the tables transitioned to much less serious subjects, gruff laughter ringing out intermittently as the bikers finished their meal.Luca's voice carried an undertone of stress but he did his best to engage in the banter. I preferred to remain silent, comforted by the familiar voices around me and thankful for their unspoken understanding in giving
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