LOGINShare
Updates
Last Updated:
2024-11-04 16:36:42I have NOT abandoned this story.
2024 just hates me.
I am determined to finish this story, and do so as soon as possible.
2024 willing, updates start again tomorrow.
Related chapters
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal PROLOGUE
(Piper POV)“Piper, you can talk to me,” Dr. Eggert said softly.I shook my head as I continued to stare out the window. “No.”“Anything that you say in this room is confidential,” she reminded me.“Even from Alpha and the werewolf council?”“Even from them. They have taken blood oaths to ensure it, and I have taken a blood oath in return.”“Just for me?”“No, we have a blanket oath that applies to everyone. Therapy would not work without confidentiality.”I turned and looked at the middle-aged woman sitting in the chair across from mine. She seemed sincere, and she seemed nice enough, but I was on the fence about whether I could trust her. Or anyone.“Why am I here, Dr. Eggert?” I asked.“You attacked a gamma wolf, Piper. Completely unprovoked. You are lucky that he was not badly hurt, and you are even luckier that Luna Lily intervened and the werewolf council decided to take pity on you. Your punishment could have been far worse.”I scoffed. “Pity? Is that what they call i
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 1: The Wedding
(Approximately Four Years Ago)(Piper POV)I am currently waiting in a dressing room on the fourth floor of the packhouse, studying my reflection in the full-length mirror. My hair and makeup have been done expertly, and my white wedding dress hugs my curves in all the right places. Despite my insecurities, even I have to admit that I look beautiful.My fingers begin to trace the silver and diamond locket on my neck. I find myself desperately wishing that my mother was here with me.Through the open window, I can hear various voices from the wedding guests who are gathering in the courtyard below. I can also hear soft violin music playing, and I can smell the vibrant rose and lily arrangements that have been placed everywhere. And I can feel just a hint of the bright morning sun on my back.Unable to resist the temptation, I walk over to the window and peer outside. Like a magnet, my eyes land on Leo Bloodstone, who is greeting guests. He is tall, super muscular, with dark hair
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 2: The Escape
(Xander POV) My heart was pounding. We were doing this. We were really doing this. The alpha in me was excited, but the man in me was worried. I have never defied my father like this before, and Leo Bloodstone was not someone that I normally wanted to piss off. However, in this case, the risk was worth it. Piper was worth it. I just prayed that my plan worked. Piper quickly changed into leggings and a hoodie while I sprayed myself with a de-scenting spray. We then grabbed our backpacks —which I also brought with me— and left the room. After saying a quick prayer to the Moon Goddess and making sure that the coast was clear, Piper and I made our way downstairs. We “hid” Piper’s wedding dress behind a bush near the side exit, and I threw her high heels as far as I could into the field. Our goal was to make it look like Piper fled across the meadow towards human territory. That would be the fastest, most logical exit route. Once Piper’s dress was fake-hidden, it was Piper
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 3: The Search
(Leo Bloodstone POV)My bride has been missing for over five hours. And it has been exactly 4 hours, 15 minutes since anyone bothered to inform me.I do not know what I am angrier about: that this stupid pack allowed her to escape; that they wasted 45 minutes making excuses for her delay coming down for the wedding that we could have used looking for her; or that their trackers are so incompetent that they spent the first half of their search following the fake trail Piper left with her “hidden” wedding dress and heels. The Blue Ridge trackers would probably still be following that trail had my men not pointed out their stupidity. Thankfully, my men are well trained. They immediately noticed that Piper's scent did not carry through the meadow, meaning that although her shoes may have been there, Piper herself never walked through.At this point, my wolf is ready to murder everyone in sight. It is a small miracle that I have been able to prevent him from doing so. As it is, both
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 4: Her Guilt
(Almost Two Years Later) (Piper POV) It was currently nine-thirty at night. I was alone in my room in the basement, and after working all day, I felt completely exhausted. Nevertheless, I had something important that I had to do before I went to bed. I placed a single candle into a chocolate chip cookie that I had stolen from the packhouse kitchen. I lit the candle and began softly singing, hoping to avoid anyone hearing me. “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Daddy. Happy birthday to you.” Smiling sadly, I blew out the candle and made a wish. It was not just any wish… it was my only wish. The same wish that I made every single time I celebrated the birthday of someone that I left behind: that the Moon Goddess would continue to look after everyone that I cared about at Blue Ridge, and that she would allow me to see them again soon. So far, my wish had yet to come true, but I continued to hold out hope. I had to. Hope —however waning— was
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 5: Missing Piper
(Xander POV)I miss Piper. I miss her so d&mn much it practically hurts. I miss her laugh. I miss her smile. I miss the way that we used to spend hours talking about anything and everything. I even miss the silly practical jokes that she used to pull on me.She was my best friend. My partner in crime. My everything. Well, almost everything. We never kissed much less had sex. Our fathers would have killed us if we even thought about doing that with each other. That does not mean I never thought about going for it anyway, but the timing was never right. Sadly, it still isn’t. Not yet.Sometimes it is hard to believe that Piper left Blue Ridge Pack 1 year, 11 months, 2 weeks, 4 days, and 49 minutes ago. Other times, I miss her so much that it feels like an entire lifetime has passed. Well, a lifetime and 49 minutes. 50 minutes now. Yes, I have been counting every single minute since she ran away.When I helped Piper leave, I was sure that it would only be for a little wh
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 6: Her Confession
(Present Day)(Piper POV)While Dr. Eggert continues to watch me, I get up and walk to the window. I stare at the wolves who are busy down below, and I secretly wish that I was among them. Or, at the very least, that I was anywhere but here.Therapy is about facing your demons. As much as I want to save my wolf, I am not sure that I am ready to do that. Four years ago, I would have done it gladly. But now? Now too much has happened. I do not know if I am strong enough to face my demons anymore. Nor do I know if it is even worth it to try. If I tell Dr. Eggert everything, and she tells me that there is nothing that can be done… that losing Penelope and experiencing the betrayal pains are punishment for my misdeeds… it will take away whatever remaining shreds of hope I have away. “Piper?” Dr. Eggert asks, breaking me out of my trance.“Yes?”“Where did you go?”“Just lost in thought.”“What were you thinking about?”“Different things.”“That’s not very descriptive.”“No, it’s
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 7: The Unknown Alpha
(Dr. Eggert POV) Piper and I end up talking for another several hours. I originally thought that her confession about sleeping with Leo Bloodstone was a major breakthrough, but like everything with Piper, the story was not as simple as it appeared to be. It took a lot of additional work, a lot of tears, and a healthy amount of sorting through Piper-style sarcasm before I finally got what I thought was the full picture about what Piper has been going through and why she did what she did. By the point that Piper had finally spilled everything, Piper and I were huddled next to each other on the floor. Both of us were crying… although as a professional I am embarrassed to admit it. This is the first time in my career that I have ever felt this invested in a patient. I do not know what it is about Piper that I connect with, or how —as a patient— she seems to see right through me as though she knows the secrets I have hidden. Nor do I understand what it is that makes her so differe
Latest chapter
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Updates
I have NOT abandoned this story. 2024 just hates me.I am determined to finish this story, and do so as soon as possible.2024 willing, updates start again tomorrow.
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 197: Piper v. Viper, part 3
(Piper POV)“Boss thinks it is time for you to go back to Bloodstone Pack.”I practically jumped off of the bench, almost throwing up right then and there. “What?!?!? You have to be joking.”Viper sighed. “No. I’m serious.”“No, you are insane,” I replied angrily. “How could you possibly suggest that I go back to him?!?!? After all that he has done?!?!?!”Even if a part of my heart still craves him, I added silently.“That is why I wanted us to talk. I need you to tell me what happened between you.”“You have been watching me for years. So you must already know.”“We are bikers not psychics.”I sighed and pointed to the darkening sky.“You really want to do this right now?”“Yes.”“Why?”“Again, boss’s orders.”“Which boss? Rooster?”“No. The one who hired us.”“And that was?”“Someone that loves you a lot. Someone who even you would have to agree has always had your best interests in mind.”I laughed bitterly. “And now I know for sure that you are lying. No one alive fit
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 196: Piper v. Viper, part 2
(Piper POV)“How do you know about my connection to Leo Bloodstone?” I asked gingerly.Viper ignored my question. “Why did you run away from Bloodstone Pack?” he asked me instead.“Answer my question first.”“No.”“Viper ---”“Poison, this is important. Before I tell you anything, I need to know why you ran away from Bloodstone Pack. I’ve given you time and space the last few months to see if you would tell me on your own, and you haven’t. Now I need to know.”“Why now? In the middle of a run with everyone else?”“Boss’s orders.”Huh. That comment puzzled me. The boss/ alpha/ president of the club was Rooster. I had only met him a few times, and he only barely seemed to notice me.“Rooster knows about Leo too?”“Yes.”“Why does he care? Did Leo threaten the club?”“No.”“So why does Rooster care?” “Before I answer that, answer my question first. Why did you run away from Bloodstone Pack?”Just like that, the anger and frustration I was feeling towards Viper returned. I de
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 195: Piper v. Viper, part 1
(Piper POV)As Viper and I continued to sit in silence on the bench overlooking the lake, the sky darkened, signaling a thunderstorm was on its way. At first, I tried to ignore the impending change in weather. However, after several raindrops hit my face and the first roar of thunder landed in the distance, I stood up and faced him. Regardless of whether I was ready to talk about my past, I knew that we needed to quickly do so and then get back on the road.“You said that you wanted to talk, so let’s talk,” I said softly.“We have been keeping secrets from each other,” Viper said in a serious tone of voice. “That needs to end today.”I gulped.“What do you mean?”“Don’t play stupid with me. We both know each other better than that.”“Well, I thought we did…”“Poison,” he said sternly.I sighed. “Okay, fine. Where do you want to start?”“First, I want you to tell me something. Do you trust me?” Viper responded.“That’s a weird place to start.”“Maybe. But answer the question
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 194: Becoming Viper's Old Lady
(Piper POV)I was silent for a long time after Viper told me that we needed to talk. I knew that he was right, but I was not sure who should start the conversation… him or me. Ten minutes earlier, I would have been sure that I was the one who needed to talk and confess some things. However, it was also ten minutes earlier that I had no idea that Viper knew anything about my past, much less about Leo Bloodstone’s connection to it. It was now clear to me that Viper had been keeping secrets of his own. Because, of course he was. All of the males around me kept secrets. URRRRGGGGGGHHHHH.I suppose I should back up before I confuse you any further. I forgot that I skipped ahead and left a few things out.As you already know, I had a car accident six months before this. Just before the accident, I stole a delivery van and ran away from Moon Shadow Pack. I thought that I had gotten away successfully, and I was planning to make my way to Dr. Hyder’s pack for treatment and help elimi
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 193: Property of Viper
(Six Months Later)(Piper POV)I found myself lost in thought as I stared out over a large lake. It was still pretty early in the morning, so there were not a lot of people around. The only movement that I saw came from the water, the wind, and the birds.So much had happened in the past six months. In many ways, I was happier than I had been in a very long time. However, a big part of me still longed for my old home, my old friends, my (now deceased) family, and …as stupid as it sounds… for Leo. After all the time that had passed, and after all of Leo’s lies, tricks, and secrets, I was not sure why my heart still held on to Leo. After all, we had only been together for a couple of weeks. I tried to convince myself that it was just the lingering effects of the spells that he had placed on me. For her part, when I asked her about it, Penelope agreed with me that that was all it was. However, I think both of us knew deep down that it was more than that; we just did not want to
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 192: The Notes
(Leo Bloodstone POV)“Where is she?” I asked.Addie did not answer right away. I could tell that she was beginning to fade. I began to worry that Addie would pass out or fall asleep any minute.“WHERE IS PIPER?” I repeated in a louder voice.“I don’t know,” she said in a sing-song voice.“How long has she been missing?”“I don’t know. A while.”“What happened?”“I don’t know.”Addie closed her eyes and leaned her head on one of her suitcases. No. I could not let her sleep. Not yet.I gently grabbed Addie by both of her arms. “Addie, this is important. Please concentrate. Where is Piper?”Addie shook my hands off of her. “I already told you, Leo. I don’t know!!! She was here, and then she wasn’t.”“What happened? Why did she leave?”Addie took in an annoyed breath. “I. DON’T. KNOW.”“I came all the way out here to get her, Addie. And I came because you called me. You’ve got to do better than that. You know how important this is. Give me something!”At that point, Add
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 191: Drunk Addie
(Leo Bloodstone POV)It was nearly 2 am by the time that my team and I finally made it to Moon Shadow Pack. It had taken me longer than I expected to leave, mainly because my father —despite doing better— was still not 100%. More on that later.I felt a mix of relief, guilt, and worry as we got close to the pack gates, and as I thought about Piper and all that had happened the past few weeks. But above everything else, I felt a sense of excitement. I genuinely missed her, and I could not wait to hold her in my arms again.I promised myself and my wolf that, once we found Piper, I would explain as much as I could to her. I would also never let anyone hurt her again. Nor would I ever let her go… even if I had to handcuff her to me this time.I was not surprised that Addie was waiting for me when we arrived. I was, however, surprised to see her sitting on the ground, waiting for me outside the border… by herself… while surrounded by suitcases and a few empty bottles of wolfsbane vo
Mated in the Shadow of Betrayal Chapter 190: Piper's Escape
(Piper POV)Luna Addie told Leo where I was. How could she do that? I really had thought that she had wanted to help me. Was I that bad a judge of character? I mean, yes, I had not completely trusted her …but I had trusted her a little bit… and I had never expected her to turn me over to Leo. Maybe she really did want to punish me for my relationship with Aiden, and her saying otherwise was just a lie.Goddess.No matter what, it was now clear that I could not trust anyone. Nor could I trust my own judgment.It was also clear that I needed to get out of Moon Shadow Pack. There was no way that I could stay now that Leo knew where I was.I raced as quickly as I could to my bedroom so that I could grab my duffle bag. Thankfully, I had not unpacked it at all and no one stopped me on the way to get it; everyone seemed busy with other tasks.Once I had my duffle bag, I went to Kade’s room on the next floor up to let him know that I was leaving. Despite being angry with me, I assum
