"Welcome, everyone." Marcus called out to the room, turning hushed whispers into silence. His suit was navy blue this time, which made his eyes seem brighter and more vibrant. This man was what most strived to be; attractive, charismatic, wealthy and powerful.
That's what's dangerous about the soul. No matter how beautiful you are on the outside, no matter what favors your appearance gains you, the soul can rot from the inside out.
Many of the murmurs were regarding Desmond Deville's sudden absence. I listened to each and every one, forcing myself to remain calm.
"As I'm sure you all have noticed, we are missing a certain table member." Marcus lifted an eyebrow towards the room full of witnesses. He turned to face where I stood in particular, and though his eyes were not on me, I couldn't help but feel a bit paranoid. "Desmond Deville was called back to his pack sometime early this morning. There is nothing to worry about, simply a pack misunderstanding turned i
The entire room erupted in chaos. People on all sides shouted angrily, screaming obscenities and threats. They called me a monster--a beast that needed to be put down. Their words bounced off me, but their acid-stained emotions burned and slashed at me. There were some who did not join in on the chaos, the golden-haired couple being two who remained quiet and stoic during this charade.While horrible things were said, and death threats were thrown like spit from their bared teeth. The guards that lingered around the room were on alert, emerging from their places hidden amongst the crowd. They came out one by one, blending in with the people around them.I was genuinely surprised when each guard came to the center of the room. They stood around the High Table and the section containing my family. I knew the High Table would be first priority in a situation like this, but I hadn't expected my family and I to be included.During the chaos, Nico Deville chose his mo
"They did it? They're safe?" I gasped, my hands covering my mouth as I gaped at Kade, my happiness was overrun with confusion. "Why were you feeling grief?""We lost a few of our men out there." He grimaced, "Typically Alec and I would visit the family ourselves to break the news, but Alec's not here, and home is far away.""I've done nothing but worry this entire time, and I can't take it anymore." I admitted with a sigh, "Now that we've held up our end, Zayne has no choice but to hold up his. I wouldn't be able to live with killing him, not when he's Tori's mate. You can rough him up a bit and hand him over to her though, I'm sure she'd enjoy that.""I wouldn't do that to her, not unless she approved." Kade promised with a small smile. I knew it went against his nature to leave a threat alive, but he couldn't go around picking off the High Table. I had already offed one member unintentionally, and I refused to let that number creep higher. "We will--"A
"Men like Marcus are always hiding something, always." Kade said, his voice not cruel and demeaning, but factual. "They have piles upon piles of skeletons in their closets. They might let you see a few, but they will never give their full hand."Apart from the muffled heavy metal music blasting from Ava's headphones, the inside of the sedan was silent. The purr of the engine as we coasted down the highway was the only thing to be heard.The emotions that sat within this small confined space, were beginning to give me a headache.Only Ava seemed completely at ease, so utterly joyful that she was like a Tylenol to my aching head. Her teenage ignorance and excitement for danger felt good, like a reprieve from the weight of everyone else's emotions.Tori and Zayne were so aware of each other that every shift, every exhale or sound that came from one had the other reacting.Zayne still had an ironclad grip on his emotions, but Tori was practically an op
"You can't, not yet." Kade hissed, wrapping his arm around my waist to fasten me against his torso. This was the first I had felt from him since he was taken, and now the bond between us was pulling me forward. I only stopped squirming when I noticed Tori's red face, and how she was currently backed up against Zayne Novak. The two of them were flattened against the house. I didn't miss how his arm was wrapped around his waist, his fingers just an inch above her shirt line. His other hand still rested over her mouth, an attempt to silence her when the guard had come out to investigate. Her heart sounded like a distant helicopter, mirroring the sound of Zayne's. "Are you alright?" I asked her, when both Kade and Zayne finally let us go. "I'm fine." She huffed under her breath, which was a good enough answer for me at the moment. "Guys, I got the window open." Ava's sudden outburst made me jump, and instinctively place a hand against my chest. Av
The only thing that kept me from erupting into a revenge fueled rage was the fact that we still needed to get Alec out of here.Once Tori removed all of the tubes, including the steady drip of sedatives that kept him comatose, his eyelashes had barely fluttered. It would be some time before he actually came to, but all that mattered was that he was finally home.Both Zayne and Kade supported Alec, draping on of his arms over their shoulders.As we readied to get the hell out of here, I couldn't help but stop and place my hand against Alec's face. He had thick stubble coating his chin and jaw, the same onyx color as his hair. As I trailed my fingers down his face, I could feel that wall holding back my emotions quiver."Alright, let's get out of here." I exhaled, pulling away from Alec with what I'm sure was a pained expression on my face.If I stayed here any longer, seeing the physical effects of what they had done to him, I wasn't sure there woul
"How are we supposed to come up with an escape plan an hour before our final meeting?" I hissed once we were all within the confines of our suite."Sweetheart, my parents and I have been mulling over escape plan's for at least a week now." Kade chuckled, crossing his muscular arms over his chest. "Ever since we found out the High Table wanted to meet you; we began planning. Garrett and Julian have been helping as well. I'm sure they've come up with something by now."Alec was draped across the sectional; the sporadic flutter of his eyelashes was the only sign that the sedative was beginning to wear off. All eyes snapped over to Alec when a husky mumble came from his lips. Tori was at his side in seconds, checking him over in a way she had done three times now.When I had ran away, Tori began an apprenticeship under her dad. The time she didn't spend looking for me was dedicated to nightly shifts at the hospital."It's wearing off faster, he should be luci
The entire room held its breath. Fear was a smog that thickened the air and rushed into my lungs like fumes of bleach. It stung and burned, nearly making me emit a nasty cough.You could feel the tearing and shattering of alliances, opinions being formed and beliefs being questioned.It wasn't every day the High Table took in a potential soul-eater. Some instinctual side of me told me to use my gift, to tear the life from Marcus before he could utter another order.Marcus's eyes held mine, ice blue and full of acknowledgement. There was something strange in his perfectly cultivated emotions, a sort of interest that bordered on gambling.The pieces clicked together in my mind, when ever so slightly, he tipped his head at me.'Your move', It said.A question stood out in my mind, one that made my stomach sink. None of us had thought of it before, least of all myself.That guard I had killed at the decrepit house; we had left him there.
"Well, that was an absolute fucking mess." Jaspar snorted, cocking an onyx eyebrow at me as he took a long drink from his glass. He seemed completely unbothered, more inconvenienced, if anything. It was then that I noticed we weren't alone. The little girl who had touched me bounced over to his side, placing a protective arm around his leg. She stared at me with hazel eyes, through hair the same color as Jaspar's. I gaped at her for a few moments, still sprawled out on the carpet until the world around me stopped shifting. "She did rather well for her first time, didn't she?" A feminine voice asked, cool and collected as she analyzed me. I pulled myself from the floor, finally noticing the woman who sat in the armchair. She wore a tight black dress, but looked professional with her short heels and crisp shoulder length cut. Her eyes were a warm shade of brown, despite the guarded look on her face. "Yes, she did." Jaspar nodded, agreein
The humid summer air, with it’s traces of fresh water and wildflowers, had always been my favorite. It was especially fragrant here, in the field of golden grass I often visited. Even as I sat on the thick quilt I had brought along, I longed for the feel of the grass beneath my feet. Rummaging through my bag, I pulled out a cherry-almond croissant I had saved from my bakery. After all the years, it was still up and running. The new management was a feisty girl named Kiara, whose pastry experiments often turned out incredible. This place had once been secret, but as I watched the children laugh and play, I couldn’t bring myself to regret sharing this place with them. A piece of the purest happiness I had ever experienced, countless memories full of it—all of which were made here. There were six of them, three boys and three girls, darting through the grass with earsplitting grins on their faces. Some were missing a few baby teeth; others were c
Three Years LaterMy back arched and eyes rolled back as molten pleasure coiled between my legs, increasing with every desperate stroke of Kade’s tongue. My hands were tangled in his hair, tugging him closer while also pushing him away. His snarls vibrated against my slick folds, coaxing unfathomable sounds from my lips. The man ate like he was starving, devouring every inch of my swollen flesh with his lips, tongue, and teeth.Alec lay beside me, the heavy length of him pressed against my hip as he stroked and played with my tender nipples. Lavishing kisses down my neck and shoulder. Goosebumps erupted where his light caresses fell, even though the air around us was humid and warm.Both he and Kade were entranced, feasting on me as they had countless times, only this time—their attention would stray down to my stomach, to the swell of life hidden within my womb.They were achingly gentle with me. To the point where my core throbbed, begging t
One Year LaterI glanced down at the old article I had saved, snickering at my name in such a bold font. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to it, having every werewolf in the world know my name.A photo of the twin’s and I sat below the headline, my odd colored eyes bright and vibrant. I was glowing with happiness as I stood between the twins, like a light had been switched on deep within. Kade stood behind me, his arms wound around my waist as I grinned and stared into Alec’s eyes. None of us were expecting a hidden reporter to snap the photograph. Even after an entire year, my love for my mates hadn’t dimmed. If anything, it had grown stronger. It was my favorite picture of the three of us.The reporters had a field day when the twin’s and I were finally married.The ceremony was mostly for show, an excuse to throw an extravagant party that would lighten spirits and spread some happiness. The public were invited, along
My Luna Ceremony commenced the following weekend, making Carrie even more frazzled as she planned last minute details. Day by day, her buns became just a tad messier. Flower arrangements, guest lists, and food. She had even gone as far to search for entertainment. I had all but forbade her to make an event out of it, but the twin’s ordered her not to listen.Streamers of cobalt and powder blue wrapped around the light posts in town, hanging brightly decorated wreaths. Storefronts hung lights, and laughter trickled in through the cracks of devastation.The crowd of guests that cheered when I walked under the pavilion erected in the park made my face flush. The positive emotions made me giddy as I passed from guest to guest, riding the high of happiness and celebration.As the ceremony commenced, the joy in my stomach turned to worry. Self-doubt lingered at the corners of my mind, fleeing only when the twins came into sight.Alec had trimmed his hair
Two Months LaterOne deep breath, and then another.“Relax, Aurora.” Zayne’s flat voice sounded from a few feet in front of me, icy eyes pivoting across the lounge to meet my own. Ever since his father’s death, there were moments where he seemed carved from ice. The only one able to thaw him was currently waiting along with the rest of the crowd. “Whether they know it or not, they’re looking for a leader, someone better to replace Marcus. Speak with confidence and they’ll listen.”“He isn’t wrong.” Brandon Fox shrugged. The only similarities between Jaspar and his eldest son were the piercing eyes and lazy grin. Everything else, including the golden hair, came from his mother.“Still, she is not wrong to be worried. There are some that won’t be happy with this decision.” Isaiah chimed in, the voice of reason as he stood second in line.“What do you think?&rdqu
The sound of muffled arguing emerged from the kitchen, most of which held the noticeable soprano of Tori’s voice. Every few seconds, I could hear Kady’s mom snap back in a venomous tone. Even Garrett was perfectly content with letting them argue, considering he was still processing all that I had told him. He hadn’t moved from his position on the couch, his chin resting in the palm of his hand. The same rush of emotion had once washed through me and even now, it was hard to believe that things were changing. Julian sat at his side, unable to conceal the wide grin that stole his face. The exact opposite of his brooding and severe brother. It made him look younger, even though the lines etched into his smooth face were a testament to his age. He leaned forward on his haunches, eyes sparkling. There had always been something feral about Julian. Still, he was more approachable than Garrett. “How’d you kill him, kid? Did he beg?” My stomach soured
I turned on my heel, a hand clasped over where my own bullet wound should have been. My mind was reeling, but my body understood what to do as I stumbled over to where Kade lay on the cement floor. Alec was hunched over him tearing the clothes from one of the dead inner circle members, a middle-aged man with greying hair and a scar just above his lip. The thousand-dollar suit jacket was shining with Kade’s blood, even as Alec held it tightly against his chest. I could feel the blood pumping out with each ragged heartbeat. A small clump of silver metal sat beside Alec’s knelt form, the bullet he had fished from Kade’s chest. Kade shifted into his human form after the bullet had been removed, his skin translucent and pale. There was a thin sheen of sweat that covered him, even though he was cold to the touch. Alec’s eyes met mine, unending darkness that seemed surprisingly calm despite the earthquake of emotions shattering what strength he had. I glance
Kade’s rage became him, heating his blood until it boiled as it pumped throughout his form. The violent emotion overtook him completely, giving his increased strength a savage edge. Alec’s head was a different story, the same book but in another format. He could see and breathe through his rage, using it to propel not himself, but his thoughts forward. Strategies and plans flitted through his head, disorienting and at rapid-fire. Many of them looked like football plays, marking where Ariana, the Hound, and the two guards stood. I tried not to give into the sinking feeling that overtook me, when even Alec couldn’t produce a plan of action. We were outnumbered, exceptionally considering I couldn’t use my magic while Ariana was in the room, and my combat training was strictly lodged in the beginner stage. Still, I hadn’t come this far by giving up. Through pain and blood, I’d give everything I had. With my mates at my side, both identical and different in every
“It is within all of your best interests to stand down.” Jaspar Fox’s voice rang throughout the crowd, strong and very much alive. The wolves he had brought with him twitched their tails in irritation, we were evenly matched now. I could see shimmering eyes deep within the forest, watching and waiting from the outside. “Defy your Alpha and take your own life into your hands, because soon Marcus Novak will be dead.”Jaspar looked towards me and somehow, I was able to decipher the words within his pale colored eyes. He was asking me a question, a simple yes or no. It took only a few seconds, reaching out with my magic before I had the answer.Disappointment and acceptance flashed in his eyes as I shook my head ‘no’.Many of the warriors here were loyal to Marcus, and radiated waves of hostility as they barely managed to keep themselves still. I could feel that so many of them were desperate for a way out, but the fear that