I can’t open my eyes yet, but I can hear people speaking around me. Quiet whispers like they are afraid of being overheard. I recognized Mark, Kelp, and Doc. Sometimes I hear Alpha when he is there. The doctor chases him away because the machine beeps to fast. There are other voices, but I don’t really know them, like the woman who talks to me a lot. I like listening to her, her soft voice is calming. She likes to tell me stories or how pretty I am.The other thing I notice is the smells. Besides the medicine and antiseptic smells, I notice a dank, mildew, old blood and dying flesh smell. I am not in a hospital obviously. Have I been sent to the dungeons already? Have all these people been sent to the dungeons with me? Did they do something to anger Alpha Thomas?I need to wake up but no matter how hard I try to open my eyes they just won’t obey. I try to move my toes, nothing. I try to move my fingers and they won’t listen. This is so frustrating and tiring.I must have fallen asleep
Two weeks later, on a beautiful sunny summer day, our little ghost woke up. She didn’t know how sunny it was or see all the people outside enjoying the weather. She woke up in a dingy cell turned into a hospital room in a dungeon full of criminals, rogues, and everyone else Alpha felt wronged by. She opened her eyes and smiled.“Hey, look at you. Finally, you decided to join us again. We have missed those dark black, purple eyes and that gorgeous smile. Kelp and I have been getting into all kinds of trouble without you keeping us in line.” She tried to answer but couldn’t.“Use our link, Luna. Your vocal chords were destroyed when Thomas shredded your throat. Doc says you will never speak above a whisper again. Even that will be painful.“No, one or both of you have been sitting with me while I have been healing.” Her big eyes were watery, and her bowed lips were quivering. “You both have been staying down here with me. Thank you.”“Hey, none of that. We haven’t done that much. We tal
It took us two and a half years to get her out of that dungeon and away from Alpha Thomas’ punishments. For two and a half years, he played games with us, sending us out on unneeded missions. The moment we were gone, he would have the lesser guards chain her to the whipping post, in the middle of the training field, and whip her with his special whip that he referred to as his ghost whip. He would whip her and when she was covered in blood and could barely hold herself erect, he would sexually molest her. He would make all pack members attend and watch.It didn’t matter if they were children, they were expected to attend her punishments. So many times, he came close to raping her. However, he would eventually just fall to the ground and pass out. Most times Katia was lucky and after a few lashes he would be passed out on the ground. Once it was realized he was not getting up, the guards would unchain her and return her to her room in the dungeon.Doc would rush in yelling “Thank godde
“Katia, let’s go get something to eat,” Eric yells across the garden. “I am so weak from hunger, that I cannot harvest another vegetable or fruit from this goddess forsaken patch of weeds.”Smiling, our little Luna straightens, “oh you look like you may wither away to nothing.” She links and pokes his ribs as if he is fat instead of the muscular wolf he is. She smiles so rarely; we find ourselves looking for ways to make her smile.In the year we have been hiding out in this little cabin on the outskirts of the Blood Meadow pack territory, Katia's healing has been slow and painful. Just recently, her wolf has been waking more often and for longer periods of time. The wolfs-bane took a toll on her body and she has not grown any taller. Her injuries healed; however, many scars have been left behind. Most of her body is covered and a pale line runs down the left side of her face.Her nightmares are the worst. The first one terrified all of us. We thought someone had broken in during the
A few days later, Coral and Doc are needed at the hospital for an influx of injuries due to rogue attacks. Mark, Eric, and I were away at the pack house meeting with the rest of the guard not already patrolling the borders. The meeting started and Alpha was sitting listening to the increased security plans. He was having a good day and was giving logical input. I remember thinking maybe he was finally getting himself together.A few of the men were discussing some weird sounds and strange happenings going on around the mountain border with the old empty cabin settled on it. Eric and I looked at Mark as he glanced at the Alpha to see how he responded.Alpha perked up, “Do you think rogues could have moved into that old cabin?”“I don’t think a lot of the old timers swear it is haunted.” Mark tried countering with the old legends of those forests and cabins being haunted.“Still, maybe we should take a look and see if anything unusual is going on out there.” Alpha started to get up as h
As I was making lunch for myself and wondering what I could surprise everyone with for dinner, I received a link from Kelp. He wanted to warn me about some complaints from the warrior, not part of our little pack, about strange things happening out here. At first, I thought it was funny, but when he said that Alpha Thomas had heard the warriors discussing it and was interested in checking things out himself, I got scared.My biggest fear is him discovering that I am still alive and taking me back. Finishing what he started twice now at that whipping post in front of the pack. He seems to want to humiliate me in a worse way. I don’t understand his need to control me and make me act accordingly. I stared at the sandwich I had made and started shaking. I can’t go through that again. He could complete the rape the next time and I would not be able to live with that. I would do whatever it took to kill him. If I didn’t, then one of my protectors would.Why can’t he just leave things alone?
Doc stepped forward, trying to gain control of his laughter. “What are you talking about? Katia is a real ghost, there is nothing out there.”Alpha turned to look back across the field and at the cabin, which was dark. “She was there. She chased me. She was trying to grab me. She wouldn’t let me leave. Kept trying to tell me something.”“I think you need some rest, Alpha Thomas. These rogue issues must be stressing you and now you are seeing ghosts.” The Beta said while hiding his face. The smile he wore could not be seen.“I’m telling you she was there. I think she is mad and maybe even has my first Luna with her to help kill me.” He kept looking over his shoulder like she was going to pop up behind him.“Thomas, you are being ridiculous. Katia and the first Luna are dead. You saw their bodies. Your fated was killed by rogues, remember? You killed Katia in a fit of drunken rage. Dead people, or wolves, do not come back as ghosts.” Doc said, stepping toward him.“I am telling you Stev
Pacing through the cabin, I linked back, “Defend the pack members but try to hurt no one from the Starlight pack. They are here because of their grief. Let them see the Alpha if that is what they wish.”“Yes Beta, but what do I tell the men? They want to defend the Alpha.” I realize this is what they train for to defend their Alpha, but the Alpha must be deserving of such loyalty. Ours is not.“Most of the men expected this attack. They are smart and know that the made-up rogue attack story was just that. A story Alpha Thomas concocted to cover up what really happened. He lost his temper and ended his fated mate’s life.” I had to remind the warrior.“Sir, they are upon us and asking for a higher-ranking wolf.” I could hear the worry in the warriors’ communications.“Tell Alpha Lorn I am on my way. I will be there shortly.” I said, gathering my weapons. I had no intention of using them. I knew that this attack was going to happen eventually, and we had all decided to protect the Little
The next morning, the women were in the kitchen cooking breakfast as the men were outside working with the warriors. Katai and Selene had an eternal blush on their faces, and Talon could not help but tease them. "Found out what all that sticky goodness could be used for other than a sweet dessert for the children, did you? I expect every couple involved in that ice cream fight had the best sex of their life last night. I know I did." Talon laughed at the look of embarrassment on her fellow Luna's faces. She loved watching the goddesses learn to live like normal wolves, but she had many questions about how they performed their goddess duties.Selene was the first to respond to Talon's gentle teasing, "I didn't know that a tongue could do the things Lorn did last night." a shiver went down her spine at the thought of a particular spot Lorn's tongue kept hitting last night. She heard him in her head, "Behave Luna. If you keep thinking like that, I will have to leave practice wi
Katia did not decide until Nathan gently pushed her down on the bed that she was ready to begin their physical relationship again. She was still frightened that she would never be as normal as the rest of Nathan's family and friends. This thought worried her constantly that he would regret having her as his mate. Selene could have matched him with someone who had not been broken so often. She couldn't help herself, though when he had undressed her and slid his tongue along her slit, she had desperately wanted to feel everything she knew he could make her feel.Nathan stopped his feasting on her plump peach, as he called it, and looked up at her with worry, "If you can worry about me not wanting you in the future, then I am not doing something right in the here, and now, little one." He nipped the top of her mound lightly, and she jerked while letting out a barely audible moan. "That's more like it," he mumbled from between her legs. The man must have felt her slight giggle be
Katia sat watching those she cared about, laughing about the tag game this morning. She had listened as their mates accused them of interfering and as they continued to throw shade at them every chance they could. They simply could not believe that the luna's remained innocent and had not helped in any way. She saw her sister walking to the ice cream table to her left. Katia did not know that Selene liked ice cream so much. This would be her third helping. She was about to ask her sister to bring her some chocolate ice cream with chocolate fudge and whipped cream when she realized her sister was not helping herself with more of the dessert.Selene stood with a bucket of vanilla ice cream directly behind her mate. She asked him sweetly, "Why do you believe we interfered again, mate?"Lorn did not bother to turn around when he replied, "Sweetheart, it is okay; we are not mad. We knew that as a woman, your heart would not allow you not to interfere and help the children cheat."Selene's
The alphas, lunas, their close friends, and family remained at the firepit. They say around the table, talking into the night about ideas for the elite werewolf force they wanted to create to focus on rescuing trafficked and kidnapped victims. They are different ways. They wanted to move the race forward but held onto their beliefs and ways. All of them agreed it still was not the time to come forth and let the human world know that supernatural beings existed. The humans could not help it, but they just would not handle that kind of information well. Some humans would have no problems with the supernaturals, but as with any race, they are those who would do evil terrible things to those they did not understand. So, the supernatural world could help the human world while trying to protect and keep its own. They could do the same for humans when needed.Zeus and Hera had excused themselves, saying they were needed in their realm. However, they met Gaia in the forest and listened to the
Once again everyone was seated around the huge tables that surrounded the fire pit. It was something that had become part of the daily meals; very seldom did they eat inside. If the weather was bad, then the portable walls were erected so they could still all eat together. Wolves from three different packs have begun blending themselves together into one gigantic pack, and they did not realize what they were doing. Working together and being there for one another was part of pack life. It was as natural as breathing, and the packs were only as strong as the weakest member. So they all band together to make each member of the pack strong. The eyes staring and watching them from the forest were in awe of the two halves of the moon and what they were accomplishing without realization.Hades watched as his heir sat amongst the wolves, gods, and other supes like the prince he was. He did not understand his son's unwavering love for the two moon halves but had learned not to question it. Th
When the game started, the women laughed so hard that they were afraid their pack mates would think they lost their minds. When the smaller ones discovered that they really could disappear and reappear they were blinking like crazy. Children were disappearing and reappearing everywhere. Eventually, the older children got, the younger ones under control, and the game really got going. The look on the men's faces was priceless each time a kid disappeared on them and then reappeared elsewhere. Katia could not stop laughing over the look on Nathan's face each time it happened to him. Once he saw where the children reappeared he would look to see what she was doing. Of course, she was sitting innocently watching the game. When she saw him looking over at her she would sweetly wave to him and go back to speaking with Rhea or Amara. She was helping to hold the little ones that were not old enough to play but their parents were volunteering. A bathroom break had just been called because some
The children had gathered at the center clearing in the middle of the forest, they were full of energy and excitement after the big breakfast of pancakes, bacon, sausage, cereal, orange juice, and as much syrup as they wanted. The smaller children were paired with an older child to ensure no one got lost or wandered too close to the waterfall and lake.One of the little boys standing with Leo chattered as fast as he could: "I would have liked to have seen the alphas' faces when they discovered they had mud and worms for breakfast." The others giggled in agreement: "I bet they are pukin' their brains out." another child mocked throwing up and falling to the ground.Selene widened her eyes and mouthed, "Pukin' their brains out?"Dalia rolled her eyes, answering the goddess, "They're kids; just roll with it.""Roll with it?" Selene repeated. "What am I rolling with?"Dalia laughed, "It means just agee with whatever they say. Kids make believe things that make sense to them but not us. If
Selene smiled admiringly at the new mark on her neck. She was inspecting it while looking in her mirror; as she turned her head slightly, she noticed the moon with a wolf resembling Lorn's looking lovingly up at it. They were surrounded by stars. If she remembers correctly, her mark was very similar to her sisters. Katia's had a wolf resembling Nathan's staring lovingly at the moon while snow fell around them. Lorn had been so gentle and loving when she admitted to him that she wanted to seal their bond. She blushed thinking about the things they did last night. She had no idea that it could be so wonderful or that it would feel so good. The memory of Lorn's hands stroking and rubbing between her legs before his tongue went there had her shivering and she noticed a wetness between her legs. Lorn came into the bathroom and pulled her against his chest. Leaning down into her neck, he took in her scent and spoke gently in her ear, "I can smell your desire, my tantalizing mate."Blushing
Nathan lay next to Katia, watching her sleep and thinking about the last week. She had not come back from near death the same. She and Selene had come back less emotionally damaged. They still had physical and emotional trauma, but it was different. Katia no longer acted like a spoiled child testing her new boundaries. Nathan did not know how to explain it except to describe it as a puzzle piece was shoved in the wrong place and someone had removed it, putting it where it belonged. Shaking his head, Nathan grimaced at himself; he was no doctor or anything; he was just another male wolf trying to figure out how not to ruin this new start with his mate. He had noticed that Lucifer did not come out of the incident the same way. Something had happened with the three souls intertwined during that time. Nathan still had no hard feelings for Lucifer, he loved both girls equally and would do anything for them. He and Lucifer had nothing but time while Lucifer held on to their souls, and Nathn