LEANDER'S POV My Wolf was enraged by her rejection.The thought of us touching her disgusted her?!We were the last Wolf she'd ever want to touch?!That was bullshit. I'd seen her body respond, traces of jealousy, a flush in her cheeks, her increased heartbeat. There was no way she wasn't just as affected as I was by the bond-that ridiculous pull to be with her, even if I didn't much like her. Growling, my Wolf pushed at the restraint of my skin. He wanted out so he could give her a thorough demonstration of exactly who he was.She was infuriating! But I shouldn't have expected anything else, not given the genetics running through her body and the vile bastard who raised her. And it was crystal clear from the righteous indignation that flowed from every pore in her body when she looked at me that daddy dearest had obviously kept all of his dirty little secrets away from his precious baby girl. Oh, the stories I could tell. I had the power to tear her pretty world of illusions and non
You're Fucking Killing MeHycinthI didn't understand him. Not one bit.One minute, he seemed calm, and the next minute he was ready to emasculate Luca! I shivered at the memory-the devastating and cruel look in his eyes that told me he would do it. But then, he turned around and said he hated to see me on my knees? And never wanted to see the strength he loved inside of me diminish? How was I supposed to take that, let alone respond to it?I shook my head. I had no answers, but the thing I did know unequivocally was he'd murdered my family, in cold blood. He'd taken the two most precious people to me and ripped them out of my life. He was insane to think I'd ever want to be with him. Bond or no bond, it didn't matter. But if he wanted to negotiate, I'd negotiate. I said stiffly, "I want you to let me go."All softness disappeared from his expression, but he didn't argue the point. He simply stepped away. Without another word, he turned and walked toward the stairs.The Beta nudged me
When I was fully dressed, I made quick use of the toilet, and wash my hands, brushed my teeth, rinsing with a small bottle of mouthwash I hadn't noticed earlier in the basket. I faced the door and had to give myself a stern pep talk before I could force my hand to grab the handle, turn it and stepped out, closing the door behind me.Leander was waiting. He sat in a large, comfortable looking chair, but my eyes zeroed in on the thing he held in his hand. It couldn't possibly be what I thought it was! He stood to his feet and crossed the room until he was standing right in front of me.I pointed and demanded, "What's that?""A collar," was his only reply."I can see that. Why are you holding it up in front of me with that dumbass look of expectation on your face?" I snapped."Because you're going to wear it." His tone didn't fluctuate. It was as if he was just stating some random fact like the sun is yellow.My heart pounded in my chest. The crazy Alpha had to be kidding."Oh, fuck no,
He continued," Do you really have it in you? Have you ever killed someone? Have you felt the life bleed out of them under your hands?"A cold shiver ran up and down my spine.He was scary as fuck when he wanted to be.His tone turned into a disappointed sneer, "And now, you want to do it cowardly, while another Wolf sleeps? I haven't known you long, but I never took you for a coward."Shame flowed through me.I wasn't a coward. I knew the rules of engagement. If I was going to win, I didn't want to do it by sneaking up on my enemy. I wanted to do it because I had the strength to back up my challenge. I pressed my lips together, refusing to speak.He took my silence as my answer. "That's what I thought. Now get comfortable. You must be tired." He turned away and pulled his T-shirt over his head.For a moment, everything in my mind went blank as I stared at his physique and the tattoos running across his back!I sucked in a sharp breath, which must have caught his attention because he g
LEANDER'S POVAfter driving me crazy the night before, running her tiny fingertips all over my body and visually inspecting me, my little mouse had chosen to go the leash route. I expected that was going to be her answer, but had patiently waited for her to decide, enjoying watching her squirm. She hadn't been happy about it, but she hadn't fought me this time. Progress.When I'd emerged from the shower, I found her out like a light. I removed the leash and slid into the bed next to her. She didn't move the entire night, sleeping soundly, which I was glad for because she had a busy day today.It was 6:30AM. Dressed and ready to go, I waited on Hycinth who was in the bathroom...still working on her hair. When she'd asked earlier, I told her it looked fine. Apparently, fine was not the right answer because she'd disappeared again, leaving me to fidget.I looked at my watch. She needed to finish by 7AM when Ever arrived to watch over her, and then I could get started on the task at hand.
Her mouth twisted. I could see the gears of her mind churning. "Okay, do you have a pen and a piece of paper?"What the hell was she up to now?I sat forward in my chair. "Why?""Simple. So I can write all of their names down. I doubt I'll be able to recall such a long list off of the top of my head." It was her turn to smirk and smirk she did.I studied her, looking for any hint of humor she may be joking or bluffing. Her expression didn't crack as she looked at me expectantly. Okay, she was serious. Fan-fucking-tastic.I stood and walked to my desk, opening the top drawer, pulling out a pad of paper and pen. I turned around to find her holding out her hand eagerly.This was going to be bad. I just knew it in my gut.This conversation was going to get us nowhere, or more likely, it was going to push us back even farther than we already were, which was saying something. I closed the distance between us, depositing the items in her waiting palm and then resumed sitting in the chair. I
HycinthThe perky, blonde shewolf walked in like she owned the place, nose high in the air, ignoring me completely. And then suggested she put away my new clothing in drawers which she already knew were empty-how did she know that? Was she so familiar with every damned drawer in his closet that she knew what was, and wasn't, contained in each of them? The answer appeared to be yes.I fumed, both at her outright disrespect in ignoring me and her clear possessiveness over him. I had no right to feel that way, given my 100% intention of somehow escaping him, but at the moment, I couldn't tamp down my innate wolf tendencies. My Wolf was also feeling feral, a sustained growl churning through her chest.When the little bitch emerged from the closet, I stood to my feet. I wasn't going to have this conversation sitting down. She instantly focused on me for the first time. She tried to cover her obvious disdain with a fake smile, but her upper lip twitched like she was having a hard time keepi
I stared up at him curiously. He wasn't that bad of a Wolf. We'd found some common ground during our conversations-now that we were no longer discussing rubbing Leander's cum all over my body. Amazing how well two people could communicate when leaving that out."What is it?" I peered up at him."Hold up your hair."Now I was even more confused but reached to hold my hair away from my neck."Good. Turn around."I turned and was shocked to feel him release the locking mechanism on the collar. It slipped off my neck into his hands.When I turned back around, I stared intently into his eyes. "Does Leander know you're doing this?" Leander had been pretty clear on the purpose of the collar, to detour me from getting into a fight. He knew without my ability to shift and my Moon-given strength, I wouldn't be stupid enough to take on whoever got in my way in order to escape. I was almost certain Leander wouldn't approve of removing the collar and wondered if Ever frequently defied his Alpha's
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