As much as Riley tried to get back to the dream state, she was unsuccessful at reaching her stranger, her mate. She hadn't gotten any answers to where she was being kept, and she was still recovering from the wolfsbane that Ollie had drugged her with. She was gaining more energy, and she could feel Ava every now and then, but the silver keeping her in the basement kept her weak enough so she wouldn't shift. Ollie was being kind since she started pretending to be interested in him. He would bring her her meals, give her water to bathe herself with, take the bucket out when it got full of her waste, and combe her hair. Other than that, she kept talking to a minimum to try and earn his trust through actions. The door swung open, and Ollie walked in, taking a big sniff of the air and sighing to himself. Something was wrong. "Are you okay?" "She wants me to take care of you, but I can't ever stay. She wants updates but doesn't want to visit yet. She says I'm yours, but she won't let m
It was the same thing over and over again. She was losing hope of getting out of here. At this point, she didn't know what day it was or how long she had been missing. She didn't know what time it was. She slept and cried and ate whatever measly food they left for her. She never did see anyone either since her last interaction with Ollie. She missed her family and friends and, most of all, her stranger. She didn't even know who he was, but she wanted him. As soon as she got out, she would end things with Ethan and make things right. She had to. Maybe this was her punishment for cheating on Ethan. Maybe the Alpha and Luna did this to her, and everyone was lying. She shook her head as soon as those thoughts crept on her. She had to think of the good. She couldn't let her mind go to the darkness. Everyone was looking for her. They had to be. She was just tired and wished to see the sunlight. Wished to be home again. The door swung open, and her ears perked up. She had no desire to
Riley woke up shielding herself from the sun, but there was no sun. She had just come upstairs before she passed out. Did they put her back into the basement? She looked around and noticed she was laying on the couch still and was indeed upstairs, but it was night outside. She heard someone humming a tune as she tried to sit up. "Riley! You're awake. Please take it easy. Don't sit up too quick," Ollie said, rushing to her side. He helped Riley sit up slowly. "What happened?" she said as she held her head from the pounding inside. "We think it's from a combination of shock and lack of energy from the silver bindings. You're still lacking in energy. It doesn't help that you have hardly eaten since being here. You're always sleeping or crying." "Well, maybe if you didn't keep me chained up, I would be more myself," she said too weak to actually be angry. "Don't worry dear, I have some food coming over to you right now," the evil woman who claimed to be her mother said. Her mothe
Riley was left alone in the basement. It was cold and wet, and she could feel it seeping into her flesh. She had stopped crying once Ollie left and laid on her back on the damp mattress. She once again tried slowing her breathing, calming her mind, and relaxing. She thought of her mate, of her mysterious stranger. She fell. She kept falling until she hit pavement. She was outside the pack house. She walked towards the front doors and felt the cold handle in her palm. She turned the handle and walked into the foyer. Everything just felt real here, but she couldn't understand why the dream led her to the pack house. "Hello!?" She walked the hallways, dragging her hand along the walls. She peaked into the various rooms she came across. Still, she didn't find anyone around. She didn't even know his name, so she couldn't call out for him. "Hello!? Is anyone there?" she said as she sniffed the air for his scent. She couldn't smell anything, though. This was pointless. He was probabl
"Hey, sorry to wake you. I was allowed to come down here, and I was hoping I could crawl in and lay next to you," Ollie said as he leaned down next to the bed. There was something different about Ollie besides the evil that she couldn't piece together. She scooted back and allowed him to crawl in the bed with her. Again, he laid down facing away from her. So she once again held him. She could feel his shoulders shake, like he was crying. "I'm so sorry for all of this, Riley. I don't know what's happening with me. My head hurts. It feels so cloudy." This was her chance to maybe get more information from him. "It's okay, Ollie. I know you would never intentionally hurt me. I'm glad it's you." "Do you mean that? You're not mad at me?" "No. I could never be. You're my best friend and we've known each other for years. This isn't you. What happened?" "She's listening. You know I can't answer this. Please, listen and behave. We will make it out of here and be together." He st
No one came back for her that day. Not even Ollie. Her suspicions were that Ollie would leave early in the mornings and come back late at night. Unless it was a weekend. However, after her last dream state session, there must be more heat put on watching him. He must know and is now taking his time coming and going. She finished her workout and was able to push herself a little harder. She felt the tiredness creeping in over her body. She managed to stay awake without a nap. So her mind and body were feeling the drowsiness. She laid down, curled up on her side. She slowed her breathing and meditation routine. As her mind relaxed, she thought of her mate. Who was he? What did he look like under that hood? Has she met him within the pack before all this? It was all a mystery. She felt that familiar drop, and she landed in the forest. She felt Ava stir right away. He was here waiting for her this time. "Took you long enough," he chuckled and wrapped his large arms around her. Thi
Ollie unchained Riley, and they made their way upstairs to meet the Rogue King. Riley's heart started to race the closer they got. She was finally going to meet the man, or better yet, the monster who has been keeping her prisoner. Her anger rose as well. She wanted to rip this man to pieces. She could feel Avas anger as well, but Ava was not strong enough to come through with the silver chained around her ankle. They finally made it up the stairs and headed for the living room, where she saw a large man standing with his back turned to her. He was speaking with her mother. He turned once she was closer, and when he turned, he was beautifully handsome. Riley was taken aback as she was not expecting this. He was large, like an Alpha should be, older but yet young at the same time. He had long brown hair and hazel eyes that stared deeply into her soul. He had the Rogue scent to him, but it didn't overwhelm her as he also smelled a bit like a campfire and honey. "So this must be Riley
The Rogue King walked over to the window. Riley stood there, shocked at how slow and nonchalant he seemed, like nothing fazed him. "Well, there goes our witches and our cover. They must have finally acquired one of their own. 'Bout time they found their brains. Oh well, we will just have to leave out the back. Come on, dear." There was a tug at her chains to move, but Riley held her ground. He would not win, at least not now. "No! I'm not going anywhere with you!" "Riley, just listen to him," Ollie said with his head down. "Yes, listen to the pathetic wolf. Let's go now, especially if you want to live." "No! I will never leave with you. I'm sorry, Ollie, but I have to fight. You need to, too! It's our only way of surviving." "He will not survive this. I have control over him. He won't listen to a bitch like you," the King said as he spat at her. And just like that, Ollie was screaming in pain and grabbing his head. "What are you doing to him!" Riley demanded. "You don't
The last two days were filled with tours of the pack and meeting some of their warriors and delegates. They met with families closest to the Alpha, but there still was no mention of when they would have a meeting to go over what brought them here. Eli and Riley had no time for each other, constantly being pulled away for lunches and dinners or shopping trips when not being introduced and in a conversation with others. She was exhausted from the sheer amount of socializing they had done so far. She had never been this social before. She kept putting on a smile and being polite as this is what she would have to get used to being the Alpha's Luna. "Riley! Are you up yet?! Alpha Forrester just called and asked if we could be at his office in 20 minutes," Eli called out from downstairs. Riley groaned and rolled over in bed. This should be more romantic, and she should be getting to know her mate better instead of his past flings. She had been spending a lot of time, especially with Lu
Riley and Eli finished showering and continued to get dressed. "Don't think we're done, Luna," Eli said with a smirk. "We are for now unless you plan to disrespect our hosts by being late," Riley said with a giggle. "I wouldn't dream of it." "What did Alpha Forrester have to say that pulled you away from me?" "Oh, nothing. He just wanted to debrief me on the attacks." "Well, what did he say? We are supposed to work as a team, plus I have some intel that may be of value." "Oh, do you now?" Eli said as he strode across the room to hug Riley from behind as she stood in front of the mirror, "Have I told you how beautiful and perfect you are?" "Thank you," she said with a blush, "But I'm being serious. We should speak before any more private meetings." "I promise," Eli said as he kissed Rileys neck. Coming close to her marking spot, causing her to become aroused once again. "You better stop, I won't be able to contain myself." "I can smell just how much you want me."
Riley woke up and got ready. She threw on a pair of dark blue denim jeans with a white tank top and a black blazer with a pair of black heels. She wanted to look more business casual. She threw her hair up in a sleek ponytail and applied minimal makeup. She looked in the mirror. This was it. This was her first assignment. She felt she looked the part. Hopefully, she wouldn't fall too behind in her end of year assignments. However, she was sure she could work online from the other pack. Riley then grabbed her bags and headed to the pack house. Once Riley arrived, she was greeted by the Alpha and a bunch of their guards. There was a row of 4 black SUVs parked out front already loading bags and supplies. "Where's Eli? Will he not be joining?" "Oh, he is. He's notoriously late. I'm sure that's something you can fix." "I will definitely work on it." "Just don't let his bad habits rub off on you," Alpha Roland laughed. At that moment, Eli came strutting down the path from the
"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