Focus is all Riley kept repeating to herself for the past week and a half. She had managed to do so, especially with Lily's help. She would pass Ethan in the halls, but his attention was always on his friends. No looks or spoken words. However, she could feel the eyes burn into her from Melissa. Landon was part of that group, too, but she couldn't blame him. He would only be a step-brother. He had his own friends from before their families joined together. She couldn't hold it against him. Riley also succeeded in avoiding Eli. She hadn't wished to go to the dream state. She also avoided the pack house. Going and coming from home to school and back again. Over the weekend, she visited home, too. Dad was finally putting the nursery together, so she slept on the sofa in the living room. Dad even helped Sarah and Landon finally move in. They had their own little family happening already. It still had felt good to be home and surrounded by others. It was the end of the school day, and
It was 6 PM, and there was a knock at Rileys door. It had to be Lily. She rushed over as there was so much she needed to unload. She was holding onto too much and was finally ready to share some of the details with someone other than the Alpha or Eli. The shock of yesterday's news was unnerving, and she hadn't even spoken to Eli as he walked her home. She left him standing in the hallway as she entered her room last night. She sensed him out there for hours until she fell asleep when he must have gone home. Now, now she could share with Lily the important things. "Lily! I'm so glad you're here." "Good thing I am because if you were thinking of going in that outfit, girl, you need all the help you could use." "Lily!" "I'm just kidding. Anyway, I brought pizza and predrinks. Hope you're ready to party!" "Before we get started, I was hoping we could talk a little first." "Sure, what about. You know you can always talk to me." "I know, this has just been really difficult to come to
Ava wiggled out from Thorn, Eli's wolf, and stretched herself awake. Their wolves played like puppies last night, and it felt so good not to have any worries. However, she couldn't help but feel there would be repercussions from last night's revelations. "Come back and keep me warm," Thorn said through their mindlink. "We have to get back. There are some things Riley would like to take care of before we leave." "Fine, but the next two weeks, you're all mine," Thorn said with a hint of a promise. Thorn got up and stretched, and then they both ran back to the packhouse. They shifted and put on some of the spare clothing in the shed they keep for emergencies. "I'll go back to the beach and grab our stuff that we hid away," Eli said as he finished getting dressed. "Great! Thanks. I'm going to go see if I can find your father. I have something I need to ask him." "You could always ask me, I am going to be taking over soon." "It's okay. It's actually a private matter rega
"Ollie, what's happened to you?" "This is what happens when a man loses his wolf." "There's plenty of people without wolves, and they make out just fine." "You mean humans? Ha, that's pathetic. I'm supposed to just go live amongst them when all my life, all I've known, is a pack?" "Why not? It could be a fresh start." "Riley, why are you here?" "Can't a friend come visit you?" "I thought we weren't friends for a while now." "Only because of the way you had changed." "You have to know that wasn't me. I swear it. I was under some kind of mind control. Riley, I'm sorry!" "Who had you under control?" "It was the Rogue King and his witches. They focused more on masking where we were, but every so often, when I didn't do what they asked, they messed with my mind. The Rogue King has no power." "How do you know he has no powers?" "He would have you. He's got nothing. Unless you are a part of his pack, then he can mindlink and use his Alpha control. Otherwise, there's
The morning light shines in through the crack in the dark green curtains that cover the bay window in Riley's room. It stirs Riley from her deep sleep, where she lays on her stomach on top of her queen size bed with her duvet tossed to the foot of the bed in a heaping mess. Her long, brown, naturally wavy hair flows in different directions as she peeks and shields her eyes from the sun. She had been dreaming of her 20th birthday that was coming up, which would signify her spot in the pack, and the first time she were to shift. "Riley! It's time to get up! We leave in 20 minutes," her dad yells at her door as he walks down the hall to start breakfast. Riley groans as she rolls onto her back. Today is Valentines Day, the day of love, and another reminder that she just broke up with her ex Nathan about 2 months ago. So, there is no love for her in the relationship department at the moment. However, she still crafted a couple of Valentines Day cards for her best friends, Lily and Ol
At lunch, Riley rushed into the cafeteria, ready to tell Lily the news of her upcoming date with Ethan. She didn't care to tell Ollie because she knew it would only break his heart. That was something she wasn't ready to do, especially since it was only a first date. However, as soon as she opened the doors and looked around, she saw Lily and Ollie sitting at their table, and it looked as though Ollie was upset. They both sensed Riley and looked over. Ollie immediately looked mad and then disappointed, while Lily just shook her head and mouthed, not now but can't wait to talk later. Usually, they would be able to mind the link, but since they haven't gotten their wolves yet, that wasn't the case. So Riley walked over to the lunch line to grab her food. Once Riley paid and went to sit with Lily, Ollie was gone. "I guess you guys heard the news? Why can't anything remain private instead of public news?" Riley already knew the answer. "I can't believe you agreed to go on a date w
The past week flew by quickly. Riley kept her head down and worked hard on her studies. Dad agreed to her going out tonight as long as she kept focused. She had to let him know who she was going out with because word got out quickly about her date with Ethan last week. If she didn't tell dad about it, he probably would have heard from someone at the office. He was excited for her, though. Dates with a future leader and the possible life it could mean for her if they were meant for each other. There was still always doubt in Rileys mind, though, but why not have some fun while she still could. All week long, she hardly had time to hang out with Lily and Ollie. She felt bad, but Ethan kept catching her at any spare time he had. Before school, in between classes, lunch, and all they did was talk. She couldn't believe the connection they had straight away and how much in common they had. She hadn't felt a crush like this in a long time. Every time he would brush his hand against her th
"Oh shit, sorry, lil bro. Do you have company under you there," Eli winked as he looked at his brother, who was shirtless and panting. "Fuck Eli, get out!" Ethan yelled out. Watching as Eli started to make his way closer. Riley covered her breasts with her hands while blushing and trying to sink into the couch while hoping Eli didn't walk any closer. This was not the way she wanted to meet the rest of Ethan's family. Eli held his hands up in the air and said, "Fine, fine, take away all the fun of letting your big brother have a peak of whatever delicious little creature you have down there." Eli sniffed the air. Whoever she was, she smelt fantastic. He had never smelt something so good before. The air smelled of sea salt and coconuts, like he just took a tropical trip to a far away island. His wolf stirred and didn't want to leave, but Eli needed to give his brother some space to finish up. He would get a chance to meet his little brother's new play thing eventually. Ethan n
"Ollie, what's happened to you?" "This is what happens when a man loses his wolf." "There's plenty of people without wolves, and they make out just fine." "You mean humans? Ha, that's pathetic. I'm supposed to just go live amongst them when all my life, all I've known, is a pack?" "Why not? It could be a fresh start." "Riley, why are you here?" "Can't a friend come visit you?" "I thought we weren't friends for a while now." "Only because of the way you had changed." "You have to know that wasn't me. I swear it. I was under some kind of mind control. Riley, I'm sorry!" "Who had you under control?" "It was the Rogue King and his witches. They focused more on masking where we were, but every so often, when I didn't do what they asked, they messed with my mind. The Rogue King has no power." "How do you know he has no powers?" "He would have you. He's got nothing. Unless you are a part of his pack, then he can mindlink and use his Alpha control. Otherwise, there's
Ava wiggled out from Thorn, Eli's wolf, and stretched herself awake. Their wolves played like puppies last night, and it felt so good not to have any worries. However, she couldn't help but feel there would be repercussions from last night's revelations. "Come back and keep me warm," Thorn said through their mindlink. "We have to get back. There are some things Riley would like to take care of before we leave." "Fine, but the next two weeks, you're all mine," Thorn said with a hint of a promise. Thorn got up and stretched, and then they both ran back to the packhouse. They shifted and put on some of the spare clothing in the shed they keep for emergencies. "I'll go back to the beach and grab our stuff that we hid away," Eli said as he finished getting dressed. "Great! Thanks. I'm going to go see if I can find your father. I have something I need to ask him." "You could always ask me, I am going to be taking over soon." "It's okay. It's actually a private matter rega
It was 6 PM, and there was a knock at Rileys door. It had to be Lily. She rushed over as there was so much she needed to unload. She was holding onto too much and was finally ready to share some of the details with someone other than the Alpha or Eli. The shock of yesterday's news was unnerving, and she hadn't even spoken to Eli as he walked her home. She left him standing in the hallway as she entered her room last night. She sensed him out there for hours until she fell asleep when he must have gone home. Now, now she could share with Lily the important things. "Lily! I'm so glad you're here." "Good thing I am because if you were thinking of going in that outfit, girl, you need all the help you could use." "Lily!" "I'm just kidding. Anyway, I brought pizza and predrinks. Hope you're ready to party!" "Before we get started, I was hoping we could talk a little first." "Sure, what about. You know you can always talk to me." "I know, this has just been really difficult to come to
Focus is all Riley kept repeating to herself for the past week and a half. She had managed to do so, especially with Lily's help. She would pass Ethan in the halls, but his attention was always on his friends. No looks or spoken words. However, she could feel the eyes burn into her from Melissa. Landon was part of that group, too, but she couldn't blame him. He would only be a step-brother. He had his own friends from before their families joined together. She couldn't hold it against him. Riley also succeeded in avoiding Eli. She hadn't wished to go to the dream state. She also avoided the pack house. Going and coming from home to school and back again. Over the weekend, she visited home, too. Dad was finally putting the nursery together, so she slept on the sofa in the living room. Dad even helped Sarah and Landon finally move in. They had their own little family happening already. It still had felt good to be home and surrounded by others. It was the end of the school day, and
Riley stretched as she opened her eyes after having one of the best sleeps of her life. She felt an arm under her head that wasn't hers, and she rolled over to stare at Eli. He was still fast asleep and looked like a God. The goddess had blessed her well. She softly kissed his lips, which stirred him awake and had him kissing her back. "Good morning, beautiful. I could definitely get used to this." Eli grabbed her and brought her in for a bear hug. Riley giggled, and they both laughed. "I should get up and get ready before I'm late for school." "Or you could ditch and spend the day in bed with me." "I think you can survive a day without me. I'm sure things will be different once we're marked." Riley stood up to head to the washroom to tidy herself up when Eli hugged her from behind. "I never want to be apart from you ever again," he growled in her ear. She playfully swatted him away and headed for the shower. Eli smacked her ass as she went. He had put on his boxer brief
Riley and Eli walked side by side back to her apartment in silence. They walked into the foyer where a few pack members were, but Riley paid no attention to the stares. It didn't seem to faze her anymore. They walked down the hallway to her door. It was silent all around. "Well, this is it. Thanks for walking me home." "Yea, no problem," he said as he lifted his arm to scratch the back of his head. "Okay, well, goodnight then." "Yea, goodnight." Eli started to walk off, and the panic started to rise within her chest. "Eli?" He turned around to face her, "Yeah?" "Would you like to come in for a bit? I could use the company." "Sure, yeah, I would love to." She giggled at his excitement and eagerness. She opened the door and allowed Eli to enter. "It's not much, not like your place. But this is home right now." His lips came crashing into hers. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she pulled him closer. He picked her up and placed her on the countertop before pulling his shi
Riley and Eli lay on their backs side by side. They had just finished another round of making love. Her and Ava felt in total bliss until she heard a phone vibrating. Shit! She was supposed to be at her meeting. "What time is it?" she said as she quickly sat up and searched the surrounding bed and clothing, trying to find her phone. Eli rolled over and picked up his phone from the side table, "It's 6. We probably should get something to eat after all that." "What are you talking about! I was supposed to meet your father at 5 for our meeting to go over recent events," she said in a panic, getting out of bed and gathering her clothing to head down. "It's okay, Riley. I will just message him that you're running late." "How are you going to explain to him that you know where I am instead of my own boyfriend? Especially when I haven't messaged Ethan or your father back after all the missed calls and messages from them. This is such a mess," Riley said, pushing her hair back.
After school, Riley rushed over to the pack house to make the meeting on time. She was nervous to tell the Alpha about what happened. She didn't want to be judged, especially knowing her mother was involved. She sat just outside the office, and she could smell him. Ava's tail started to wag as she spun in circles in Rileys mind like a puppy. She got up and tried to follow the scent. She started walking up the stairs to the Alphas quarters. It didn't even dawn on her where she was going. Ava was in control now, and she needed him. She needed his touch, his scent, she wanted to drown in it all. She opened the door to their private home. She didn't care if she was trespassing. He was here. Was he a beta? Was he part of their personal staff? Her nose kept her going down the hall. She passed Ethans' room and kept walking to the end of the hall. She stood outside the door where the smell was the strongest. This was it. She would find out who he was. Ava was so excited, she kept screaming
It had been exactly one week since Riley was freed from the basement. After her rescue, she was taken to the infirmary by Ethan and her dad, where she spent two days recovering. IVs hooked up to her, machines tracking her heartbeat and blood pressure. Though, once she was out, she felt fantastic again. It took her some getting used to the brightness of the sun and all the lights. However, with Ava at full strength again, she quickly adjusted. The first thing she did when she was released was shift and go for a run with Ava. She asked her father and Ethan to let her go alone as she needed freedom. They weren't far from her, though. She could pick up their scents from further away, always watching. She then had the rest of the week off, Lily had come over to bring all her school notes and any missed homework or assignments. Lily stayed as long as she could to help with any questions and just keep an eye on Riley. No one wanted to leave her alone. The overwhelming food and flowers lef