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
I remembered screaming for a minute before my world blacked out and I lost consciousness. When I woke up, the first thing that struck me was the thick scent of death and blood. I didn't want to imagine where I was or who had taken me but there was an idea in my head.Just an hour before I was blacked out, I recalled a man I knew warning me that they were coming for me. I ignored all the flags waving in front of me and continued with my life.The Alpha of the Night shade pack Cade.He had me.I placed my hand underneath and pressed my palm against the cold, unknown ground. My eyes opened wide, but I couldn't see anything. It was pitch-black and silent as a graveyard.And my hands were tied.The ropes were digging into my wrists as I tried to break free. My hands were tied behind my back therefore every time I stood up, I fell back on the ground without any hope.A few seconds later, when I began feeling my sore legs, I quickly realized that my feet were tied together. My shoes were ta
In the middle of the morning, my phone began ringing and buzzing. I thrashed over the bed, my eyes still closed and a pain sweeping through my head. My hand stretched and reached for the phone. I wanted to silence and cut the call, but a glimpse of the unknown number at the caller ID tore the sleep right through me and forced me up.I picked up the call and heard heavy breathing on the other end for a few seconds before the man spoke up. "They are onto you." He said, giving me a warning. "Be careful."I didn't say anything but I knew the person who had called to warn me. A few more seconds passed before the call ended. I pulled the phone away from my ears. My heart thudded hard against my chest.Fuck. I groaned at myself while rubbing my forehead, hoping the throbbing would leave me for a minute.They were onto me.By saying "they" , he meant Alpha Cade of the Night shade pack. He was also among the Alpha's that worked with Dagger to bring me down. He was among the bastards that wante
HYCINTH’S POVThere was no peace.Not in this world. I had no peace and I no longer wanted it.I think I had cried for exactly six months before wiping my own tears and setting my focus on something else, my revenge. There wasn't a single day I hadn't thought about my unborn child that was viciously murdered by someone who had a grudge against me. I had mercy before but right now I didn't have that in me.I wanted that bitch."Please, please, don't kill him. He hasn't done anything to you." The naked woman nearby begged, her hands clasped together and meeting with her chest.I never looked in the direction of weakness. Not since I ran away from Leander and came here, hoping to find peace. The world ahead of me was red, full of blood, death, and an urge to kill. And I wanted to revenge for everything. Yes everything happened, l lost my unborn pup but luckily the moment I left Leander the moon goddess helped me and gave me back my wolf.Before getting it, I spent nights and days cryin
LEANDER'S POVEverything good had to come to an end.It was how the world worked. Even with all the riches and power, no one could save anyone from death. There was no such thing as immortality or giving one a life. There were two instances where I had ever cried, one was where my mother died, where I couldn't do anything to bring her back, where I felt the weakest of all, where I felt nothing could help me and the second time was when my unborn child was killed.Same feelings.Same emotions.Different people.Different deaths.One's grave was big and the other one was small. The tears were the same and the pain was the same. But I never thought I was ever going to cry for someone who was living, breathing right next to me. It took courage and a lot of strength to love someone and seeing them going through pain was worse than the pain of any death.When I held Hycinth in my arms after her surgery of abortion, I wept like a child while she struck her fists into my chest, screaming how
Every body moved away, creating a path for us as l moved quickly. I clutched Hycinth to my chest as she writhed and began to groan in pain. The guard's eyes widened as they saw Hycinth spitting up blood in my arms. “Guard around the pack, no one in , no one out , there might be a reason why she is vomiting blood”, l shouted at my beta, Ever brushing past him to run.I didn’t wait for his response.Gwen was running behind me as I raced for the pack’s infirmary. My heart was beating painfully in my chest as l pushed myself faster than I had ever moved before. “Lay her on the bed here”, Gwen gestured to the first open bed and l gingerly laid Hycinth on bed. I held her head to the side so she wouldn’t choke on the dark colored blood. “Hycinth my darling, can you hear me?”, My voice was strained as l held her face and brushed her hair back from her forehead.A cold sweat was forming on her face and she continued to spasm in pain. Somehow her cloudy eyes seemed to find me and her lips moved
I wasn't sure if Hycinth's surprised response and rapid heartbeat were related to Sydney's actions or my reference to her as my Luna. "I can only tell you what I've seen. I really do think her punishment changed her perspective, and again, we will discuss it with her to confirm exactly where she stands now, but she has held you in her lap while kissing your hair and whispering softly spoken sentiments of affection. She watched over you whenever I was forced to leave your side and whenever I returned, she never failed to whisper a loving goodbye to you.Hycinth blinked, her eyes taking on a glistening shine. After a long moment she said softly, "Okay."Transitioning back to our original conversation, I asked quietly, "Were there any other reasons you kept our daughter from me?""No," Hycinth whispered. "I've always known you would be a good father. I knew you would come for her...you would save her." Expression turned glassy, utter anguish radiated through the bond.Still connected to
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