My ears perk up as I hear a faint growl in the distance. I step over Alpha Clyde’s lifeless body, confused. Colin just spoke with him four hours ago. In front of us, guards lay dead in a chaotic sea, the grass being watered by their blood. My nostrils become overwhelmed by the metallic smell.Tally moves closer to the bodies, her face scrunching as she further inspects one of the guards.“No vampire bites. If I had to guess, I’d say they were killed by werewolves. It looks like a fight broke out, and these guys were on the losing side.”I feel a pinch of relief. At least we didn’t walk into a trap, but what is this? Who killed Alpha Clyde and his guards? Where is the rest of the pack? A scream breaks out from the trees. I have a feeling that we’ll find our answers in that forest. I lead my warriors to the tree line. I inhale a sharp brea
“My name is Alpha Colin from Onyx Flame. I won’t take up much of your time. I just need to know if everyone feels safe and happy with-“ he turns towards Clyde’s brother. “What’s your name?”“Ray.”“Does everyone feel safe and happy with Ray taking over as your new Alpha?”Howls and claps confirm Ray’s position. Ray shoots Colin a pointed look as if he’s offended that he asked his pack how they felt. It’s clear the man isn’t a fan of ours, but it’s not like we can leave here without knowing these people are safe.“Wait, Ray, do you know where the girls are? Can we speak to them? They might have information on the other missing girls,” Peyton asks.Ray nods at us, walking us around the burning vampires to a secluded group of trees. “We found them in a van, close to where Clyde met the vampires. They haven’t talked much, only to say that they weren’t hurt. Mya, come here, please.”A young she-wolf walks up. It’s Ray’s daughter. It has to be. She’s practically his clone.Colin steps close
A giggle comes from Ryker’s highchair. He’s laughing at Paige’s attempts to feed him baby food. I don’t blame him. She’s wearing more of it than he’s eating. Who wouldn’t laugh? My chuckles die off when a glop of applesauce hits my shoulder. I reach for a rag, my eyes catching Claire’s worried expression as I do.“They’re going to be okay,” I say as I nudge Claire’s shoulder.“My wolf doesn’t think so. I should run upstairs and get my phone. Maybe he’s called by now.” Before she can stand from her chair, a loud crash comes from the front door. Four warriors guarding the foyer fly through the air, landing near us. I pass Ryker to his mother and instruct her to run. Paige and I watch them disappear before we turn our attention to the front. Everything has gone quiet. Too quiet for dinnertime at the packhouse. I look over at Paige. Her eyes are glazed over, and I know she’s sending out a mass warning mindlink. I can o
My little pet hops into my car with no hesitation. I slide into the backseat next to her, giving orders to the fledgling in the driver’s seat. I put my arm around her and pull her close. Just like the first night I met her, she doesn’t resist. She’s the same weak wolf now that she was then. That night, I was rough and quick, not caring that it was her first time sharing her body. Now, I plan to be slow and meticulous. I will take her in every way possible. I’ll touch every inch of skin and drink every drop of blood she has. Amber will spend the rest of her life with me, no matter what.After an hour of driving, I recognize the forest around us as the protective trees that hide my castle come into view. We’re close now. My grandfather was so clever to build a hidden castle in unclaimed territory. No one ever wanders this far out. The large home comes into view. I watch Amber’s face for a speck of reaction, but she keeps her eyes trained forward. My compul
I’m next to her in a flash, covering her mouth with my hand. “First, you will not speak to me in such a manner. Second, what did you think I was hunting her down for?”Kimi’s body relaxes, and I release her face.“I knew you were hunting her down because you say her blood is the best you’ve ever had. I hadn’t realized that you were also attracted to her, otherwise, I would’ve killed her by now.”“You will do no such thing. I’m keeping her as a pet. I’m sorry if that bothers you, but that’s how it’s going to be.”Kimi’s eyes widen, like I just slapped her. “Fine, then I’ll leave.”“Excuse me?”“It’s her or me, Lyle. I can tell she’s different by the way you touch her and the way you gave her a room instead of throwing her in the dungeons. I can live with you screwing the she-wolves you kill, but I can’t live with you loving one.” Kimi’s hands rest on her hips. “
I wake up to a sizzling sound. My eyes pop open as the smell of burning flesh hits my nose. The sun has flooded my room. I forgot to close my curtains. For a second, I consider letting the sun incinerate me, but then I remember my pet. My own personal mutt. A smile breaks over me as I rush to close each curtain, blocking the sun from feeding on my flesh. I don’t bother to make myself presentable. My little pet won’t care. I make my way down the long corridor and into her room. She’s in the exact spot I left her in last night. “Such a good little pet.” I stroke her hair from her face. “I’m going to free you now. Do what you need to do, and then we’ll have breakfast.” Her foggy brown eyes stay on me as she nods. I release her arms from the cuffs, kissing her wrists gently. She leaves me waiting on the edge of her bed while she retreats to her small bathroom. Twenty minutes later, she appears, freshly showered and wrapped in a towel.
My worst nightmare has come true. Onyx Flame has been attacked. Paige is hurt. A dozen warriors are dead. Worst of all, Amber is missing. Pain courses through my body. She’s gone. The hallway I’m standing in narrows. The weight of reality is too much for me to handle. A hand lands on my shoulder. I look over to see Colin.“Is Paige okay?” I ask.“She was poisoned with silver, but they expect her to make a full recovery. She’s asleep now.”“Good.”A tinge of relief falls over me, but it’s nothing compared to the cavity of pain in my heart.“She has one small bite, but no venom was in her system. I want blood, Alex. No one hurts Paige. I’m going to kill every one of those parasites.”“Get in line,” I growl. “But I have to find Amber first. Nothing comes before her.”“Start talking to survivors. See if they can tell you anything.”
I wipe away the wet sadness and plaster a mask on my face. This is not the time to show weakness. I walk back through the halls, keeping my head down. Maybe Paige will have some more insight into all of this. The room is silent but full when I get there. I try to suppress the urge to look for Amber among everybody. “Are Ryker and Claire okay?” Paige whispers hoarsely.“They’re fine.” Peyton leans down to kiss his sister’s forehead. “Thank you for protecting my family.”Paige smiles until her eyes land on me.“Alex, I’m so sorry. I tried to get her to stay. I really did. I couldn’t fight them.”“It’s not your fault. You didn’t do this.”“I tried to tell her to run. I told her I wasn’t her Luna, and she didn’t have to go with him, but she wouldn’t listen. She kept Lyle from hurting me.”A tear slips past my shield and down my face. “We’re going to find her.”“Lyle said that one of our own led him to Amber.”“Excuse me? He said a werewolf told him how to find Amber?” Nolan interjects,
Luckily for us, our specialist agreed to move onto packlands for the last few weeks of my pregnancy. By the time we reach the hospital, I’m in tears from the pain. Our doctor meets us by the front door. “How long are the contractions?” “It’s just a constant pain,” Alex answers as he lays me on the hospital bed. “She’s had no relief.” “Okay. Amber, honey, it’s Dr. Roberts. Are you feeling any pressure to push?” My response is stolen by a sharp bite of pain to my pelvis. I grip Alex’s hand. Every single coping technique I learned during my pregnancy goes out the window. I barely register the rustling of bodies around me or the fact that Dr. Roberts is checking how close to delivery I am. “The babies are
The sound of laughter carries through my childhood home. Alex offered to build a new one right next to the swimming hole, but I didn’t want to ruin that sacred ground. Instead, we turned my father’s old home into our new one. We gutted everything in it and started anew. Now, it’s a place of a happiness. “Princess! Come on, everyone wants to see you,” Alex says, grabbing my hand and dragging me to the living room. “Okay. Okay. Geez, I just wanted some snacks.” “You know, I’m going to have to come up with another name for you once the twins get here.” I lay a hand on my swollen belly. “Yeah, if one of them is a girl.” “Trust me. We’re having a boy and a girl. Just like Paige and Peyton only cuter cause they’ll be ours.”
“Tonight, we welcome Amber Tremaine as Gamma Alex’s mate. She is already a part of our family, now she’ll be a part of our pack. She will receive the title of Gamma female and should be treated with such respect,” Colin states with a clipped tone. “Alex cut into your mate’s palm please.”Paige hands him a small dagger. The handle of it is worn like it’s been used in many ceremonies before ours. His love filled eyes are glued to mine as he slices the knife across my hand. The ache from my splitting skin is overshadowed by the joy I feel. Blood warms the wound as it begins to seep out.“Now, Amber do the same to him, please.”The blade runs through his hand, setting his blood free. I place my bloody palm in his, the mixture of our blood creates a stream of wind around us. Right now, Alex and I are the only two beings in existence. I’m tran
Colin clears his throat. “Good evening, everyone. We have a lot to cover tonight so if you’ll all find your seats, we can get started.” He goes silent waiting for the rustling of moving bodies to stop. “First, I’d like to say thank you all for coming tonight. I know tonight comes at a bitter time for some of you. Paige and I are grateful that you could attend. Second, I’d also like to take a moment to thank each of the fallen. We lost a lot of good people during this fight. I know this was something we’d rather not have to endure but their death was not in vain. We defeated the evil and ended its wrathful reign. I hope that brings solace to their souls and that of their families. Please know that Paige and I are prepared to support you in any way you may need. Just reach out.“Now, I’d like for every person who helped us defeat the Midnight Sin clan to stand,” Colin announces.
Choosing to stay in Onyx Flame was an easy choice after Paige’s words. I realize that not every pack member is going to be happy about this. In fact, I’m guessing that more will be angry than happy, but this is my home. I’m tired of running from it. “Are you nervous?” Paige asks. “Not really.” “Ah, so I’m on my own with that then.” “Yeah, but you have a good reason.” Paige slides her fingers through my hair, twisting my dark strands into an intricate up-do. I look at her in the mirror. Her hair flows down her back, her body covered in a black dress. She meets my gaze and smiles at me. “You know, I never thought I’d say this but I’m really glad to call yo
My smile widens, and Amber’s jaw drops.“Are you sure?”“Absolutely. We couldn’t think of anyone better,” Paige embraces Amber. “And before you ask, yes, we are sure that we want you to be the godmother. We’re not just asking because you’re Alex’s mate either. We’re asking because I want my child to know what true resilience and strength is. You’ve been through hell more times than any of us but you’re still a good person. You’re an amazing person. Please say yes.”“Yes.”An excited laugh leaves Paige. Her body jumps up as if she just won an award.“Paige and I aren’t announcing to everyone else until the banquet. So, you can’t tell anyone! No one else knows,” Colin says.“We’re the first to know? I feel special,” I laugh.
I meet her eyes as she stands in front of me. Her leg comes out and places a tiny kick to my shin.“There. I hurt you. Happy?”“No. NO. We are not happy. Kick his ass, Amber!” My mother yells.“Really? I’m your son!”She shrugs. “I came for a show.”My mother looks to Amber with a glint in her eye. Amber chuckles before facing me. “I guess I’ll be giving everyone a show then.”A devilish smile covers her face. A shiver of fear spreads over me. Oh, this might be the worst decision I’ve ever made.No, rejecting her was. You deserve this for hurting her and for hurting us, Zeke snarls.Amber’s fist connects with my right eye. Fuck, she can punch
I blow the steam from my coffee and look at my sleeping mate. It took me hours to get her calmed down last night. When I found her at the swimming hole, she was in tears. She couldn’t even get the words out to tell me what happened. But when she finally did, I was heartbroken for her. Knowing that Linda killed her mother and watching Linda kill her mother are two different types of pain. My tongue recoils to the touch of the still too hot coffee. I jerk the cup from my mouth, spilling a little down my shirt.“Fuck,” I hiss.Amber’s eyes open, finding mine immediately. She sits up, her face still stained from yesterday’s burdens.“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”“It’s time to get up anyways. I have training.”“Oh, okay. Get dressed and I’ll walk you down.”
I’ve sent most of my kingdom to live safely on the surface, hidden from those who want our lives. It’s just me and my mother left. I’ve been putting off running for so long because I want Troy to choose me. I hate how I’ve pined for him, hoping that on one of my visits, he’ll realize that I’m who he is supposed to be with. All the men that I’ve had in the years since have never come close to what I felt when I was with him. They never will but I have to let this idea of being his go. He’s happy with Linda, and I have to accept that. At least living on the surface, I might get to see Amber more. Amber jumps on my glittering, purple tail. “Always with the tail, my pearl. You have no idea how much I wish I could give you one of your own.” “Mama, look!” Amber hands me a drawing that she made. Me with my purp