ApphiaI feel him—deep within me. It is him_ the seeker. He doesn't wear a cloak. The seeker is of average height, with very short hair and dark eyes that glint red. He approaches but stops, smiling like a cat and displaying his sharp fangs. He looks back at his escort. His entourage are all old and strong, yet their bodies are those of men no older than fifty. "The marked wolf with divine powers," his voice is like a sharp knife through me, yet it is low. "You've come to me," 'Where are you,' Nicholas mind-links me. Before I can respond to him, I feel a forced shield between us. I try to slam against it, trying to lower the shield to let my mate in, but I can't. I can feel him, too, tugging on my mind. The seeker must have done something to stop us from communicating. I try to sneak past his own mental shield, but it is tight. From the look on his face, he knows. "I've had hundreds of years to train against your kind of powers. You won't be able to get in," he says. "Why do y
ApphiaGavin is standing before me, looking sheepish. I stand, too, and wait for him to speak even though I know exactly what he wants to say. " Apphia," he breathes. We are silent, and he speaks," I'm sorry for how badly I treated you. You didn't deserve any of it," I didn't deserve it. " You are very beautiful, Apphia. So beautiful inside and out. I wish I could turn back time. I wish I accepted the bond when it clicked into place, but I didn't. I'll regret that for the rest of my life and be sorry for it," tears mist his eyes. He smiles slightly and wipes a stray tear from his eye. " Apphia, I wish you the best. You deserve everything you have now and more. I wish you all the happiness in the world. That's all I wanted to say," I only manage a nod, unable to utter another word, " Thank you for hearing me out, Luna Queen Apphia," He's looking at me as if committing me to memory. His eyes flash, and his lycan comes forth, but only momentarily. He bows low to me and turns to le
I had dozed off in the bath. After drying myself with a towel and entering the bedroom, my mate walks in with a plate of muffins. " Did you get the recipe from Duncan?" I ask. He nods, frowning a bit, though. They vex each other. I drop the towel on the floor and pick one muffin to taste. He's watching, waiting anxiously. I nod slowly after I swallow, " Not bad, babe. Keep practicing, and you'll get it right." I take another bite and give him a thumbs up. He is relieved and kisses me. " Yes!" I giggle at his enthusiasm. " Yes!" I shout, too. He wraps his arms around me from behind and kisses my neck over and over. I'm giggling and trying to get out of his grip to wear my pajamas. " It's cold, I want to wear my pajamas, Nick," " I can make you warm," he husks in my ear, licking it. " Really," " Yes," Before I know it, we are on the bed, face to face. I'm straddling him. We kiss passionately, our tongues fighting for dominance. His hands go up to touch my breasts. My br
" Allies?" he breathes, eyes on me. I only nod with a slight smile. He is not happy. Maximus is watching us, interested. " Leave," Nicholas orders my alpha guest__ my ally. " No, he's not leaving," I firmly say. " Apphia," he warns. " Nicholas," I retort. " I don't want you associating with this man," he says. " Well, there is nothing to be done now, is there? We have been allies for the longest time," I inform him. " How long exactly," my mate grits." seven- eight months," Maximus answers, glancing at me momentarily. Nicholas growls at him, " Apphia is just using you for your position. This man doesn't care about you and has nothing to offer," " I ensured her reputation wasn't tarnished in the eyes of your people and other packs because of your ex-girlfriend. I identified and dealt with entitled alphas and lunas who were pissed that she came into the picture and ' stole' their daughters' prospects to become Luna Queen; I mitigated for the Luna in her projects, and I made su
Apphia The pain is transient, but it leaves goosebumps on my skin. I look up at the woman who bumped into me. She's tall, with long ginger hair and dark, dark eyes. She bows to me low in apology. " I'm sorry, I didn't see you there," her voice is raspy but high pitch. My mate is by my side, asking if I'm alright. I nod to him. " I'm sorry for bumping into you, my Luna. " The woman bows again and walks off before I ask how she knows I'm Luna. " How did she know I'm the Luna?" I murmur. " Everyone knows you're the Luna," he says, kissing my temple. I look back in the direction the woman has gone but don't see her anymore. " That woman made me feel odd, Nick," I tell him. " What do you mean?" " I felt pain in my chest and on my scalp when she bumped into me," I explain. " I'll look for her. Stay here," he says, ready to leave, but I grab his arm, " No, It's okay. Maybe I'm just tired and need some rest," " I can find her, and you can read her aura, her mind," he insis
ApphiaI take another look at them. That's Maximus, talking with Daisy__ I think they are arguing, and boy, is she pissed. I tear my gaze from them and focus on my mate. We are dancing happily together, without a care in the world. He looks so carefree, smiling and twirling me. He kisses my forehead after the song dies down and grabs my hand. "Still want to dance?" he asks. I shake my head, "No, but I am hungry," I grin, kissing him. He is pleased to hear that. He takes me away from the club, "There is a food truck not far from here. The sandwiches are soooo good," I moan, remembering the ones Joe brought me at work. Nicholas frowns, but I pout, and it works. We stroll across the streets unhurriedly, enjoying the starry night, and street lanterns. The cool air is welcome; it has been warm lately as we welcome the summer season. Eventually, we reach the huge food truck. Attention from the people draws to us. They recognize us—maybe only him. They bow, awestruck, most insisting
ApphiaI straighten and greet them all. I present my motion to nominate Maximus for the council. Their expressions are different. Some are agreeable to it, while others shake their heads no. "The Lycan Island pack were collectively punished for years, and all of us are guilty of their suffering; it's time to make it right, really right. We have accepted them in society, but have we, you, really?" I ask, "They are still treated like outsiders, despite everything they have accomplished on their own, with no pack backing them," I point out everything the pack has performed, how they have maintained the realm's security, and what the alpha has done. I guilt-trip them by mentioning the young children and women who feel shunned and not welcome everywhere else in the city. 'You're doing amazing,' Maximus says in my head. I don't know if he realized that he had mind-linked me. 'Thanks, but I'm shaking,' I say through the mind link. 'I can't see it. You sounded soft-spoken but firm and
Apphia The following days were peaceful and wonderful. I talked to my brother on the phone and Facetimed him once a week. I was happy that our sibling bond and relationship had grown immensely. However, Nicholas was distant from me. When I asked, he dismissed the issue by changing the topic. He has been accidentally 'falling asleep in his home office,' I try to peek into his mind, but the mental shields are up and tight. I think his avoiding me has something to do with the wraiths that almost attacked me. "Penny for your thoughts?" Drake asks. I shake my head no. "Are you nervous about seeing Vicky?" I ask as we pull up in front of the Altamirano manor. We are visiting Vicky because she told me she was unwell. "No, why would I?" "Because things didn't work out between you two," "I didn't want things not to work out; she just wanted more, and I wasn't ready for that yet," he explains, looking pained. I think back to when I entered his head and saw blood and death; he had lost
Apphia"I missed you, baby," he breathes against my mouth. I throw my arms around him, and I feel tears escape my eyes once more. When he pulls away, he's smiling gently at me. "You missed me," he says cockily. "You're crying 'cause you missed me," he pulls me in a one-sided hug and kisses the top of my hair. " I'm sorry for making you cry, my love," I wrap my arm around his waist and lay my head on his arm as we leave the training field. I enjoy this moment; it's been too long since we were this close and in each other's company. Nicholas takes me home and back to our suite. He sits on the edge of the bed and pulls me in his lap so I straddle him. My arms are wrapped around his neck, hiding my face in his neck. He seems relaxed today. "I'm sorry I've been avoiding you," I face him, looking at him with a pout, "Don't do it again, please." He only smiles again, caressing my neck and melting my insides. Should I tell him I overheard his conversation with his parents? No, he will s
I explain everything about the wraiths to Nirvaan. I asked if there was a way to eradicate them without ending my mate's life, but as I feared, there was no way of doing that. Nicholas's words to his parents replay, 'Don't worry, mother. I'll only use this dagger when they try to escape into Apphia. I'll die first before this evil touches her and tries to take over her body and mind,' A shudder runs through me at the thought of my mate dying. Nicholas would kill the wraiths along with himself to protect me. "Is there a way to lock them somewhere other than a person's body?" I ask, but I already know the answer."Like what, milady? A vase?" he chuckles softly, his laugh deep and melodious. He inclines his head and speaks, "The wraiths need a powerful body to dwell, or they will escape and cause havoc unto the world," "Like mine," I say, remembering Savannah's theory about my powers eliminating the wraiths, "A werewolf with divine powers, the powers of the moon mother herself. I'm s
ApphiaI'm having breakfast with Leon and Emily the following morning. I'm frowning that my mate didn't return to our suite after asking me to leave his office. I tried calling and mind-linking him, but he didn't answer. When I searched for him, I found him in my old room, sleeping peacefully. I didn't have the heart to wake him, plus I was upset. I'm sure he's scared to sleep with me after what happened a couple of nights. I recall the conversation I overhead with his parents. There is a way to destroy the darkness plaguing him__ a dagger can kill it, but it will kill him, too. 'And it wants us,' Ziora murmurs… "Are you alright, Apphia?" Emily asks with a frown. "Yes, love," I answer. "Well, I've been talking to you, and you don't seem to hear me over your thoughts," "I'm sorry I've been distracted… Work," I smile at her. She nods and smiles back. After breakfast, we head outside. The siblings are going to school, and I, at the office; however, on our way there, we meet Bro
Nicholas There is a knock on my door, and it is pushed open. Dad and Mom enter. "Nicholas, son, why have you asked us to come?" he asks, taking a seat. My mom comes to my side, kisses my hair, and sits beside her mate. "I called you here because something has been happening lately," They share a glance, "What is it, Nick?" "Lately, the wraiths have been fighting me to come out," I explain, "How?" Mom asks, worried. "They are mostly attracted to power, and lately, they have been wanting Apphia's," Stunned silence. I battle the evil darkness within me, but they want to come out when Apphia is close. Like every other hungry creature, they want a taste of her divine powers. They do it often these days, especially when I'm vulnerable__ in my sleep. That's why I've been avoiding her lately. I open a drawer in my desk and pull out a dagger. My mother gasps and gets on her feet, angry. "Nicholas, put that thing away," her sharp, angry gaze regards my father, "Leondre, I thou
Apphia The following days were peaceful and wonderful. I talked to my brother on the phone and Facetimed him once a week. I was happy that our sibling bond and relationship had grown immensely. However, Nicholas was distant from me. When I asked, he dismissed the issue by changing the topic. He has been accidentally 'falling asleep in his home office,' I try to peek into his mind, but the mental shields are up and tight. I think his avoiding me has something to do with the wraiths that almost attacked me. "Penny for your thoughts?" Drake asks. I shake my head no. "Are you nervous about seeing Vicky?" I ask as we pull up in front of the Altamirano manor. We are visiting Vicky because she told me she was unwell. "No, why would I?" "Because things didn't work out between you two," "I didn't want things not to work out; she just wanted more, and I wasn't ready for that yet," he explains, looking pained. I think back to when I entered his head and saw blood and death; he had lost
ApphiaI straighten and greet them all. I present my motion to nominate Maximus for the council. Their expressions are different. Some are agreeable to it, while others shake their heads no. "The Lycan Island pack were collectively punished for years, and all of us are guilty of their suffering; it's time to make it right, really right. We have accepted them in society, but have we, you, really?" I ask, "They are still treated like outsiders, despite everything they have accomplished on their own, with no pack backing them," I point out everything the pack has performed, how they have maintained the realm's security, and what the alpha has done. I guilt-trip them by mentioning the young children and women who feel shunned and not welcome everywhere else in the city. 'You're doing amazing,' Maximus says in my head. I don't know if he realized that he had mind-linked me. 'Thanks, but I'm shaking,' I say through the mind link. 'I can't see it. You sounded soft-spoken but firm and
ApphiaI take another look at them. That's Maximus, talking with Daisy__ I think they are arguing, and boy, is she pissed. I tear my gaze from them and focus on my mate. We are dancing happily together, without a care in the world. He looks so carefree, smiling and twirling me. He kisses my forehead after the song dies down and grabs my hand. "Still want to dance?" he asks. I shake my head, "No, but I am hungry," I grin, kissing him. He is pleased to hear that. He takes me away from the club, "There is a food truck not far from here. The sandwiches are soooo good," I moan, remembering the ones Joe brought me at work. Nicholas frowns, but I pout, and it works. We stroll across the streets unhurriedly, enjoying the starry night, and street lanterns. The cool air is welcome; it has been warm lately as we welcome the summer season. Eventually, we reach the huge food truck. Attention from the people draws to us. They recognize us—maybe only him. They bow, awestruck, most insisting
Apphia The pain is transient, but it leaves goosebumps on my skin. I look up at the woman who bumped into me. She's tall, with long ginger hair and dark, dark eyes. She bows to me low in apology. " I'm sorry, I didn't see you there," her voice is raspy but high pitch. My mate is by my side, asking if I'm alright. I nod to him. " I'm sorry for bumping into you, my Luna. " The woman bows again and walks off before I ask how she knows I'm Luna. " How did she know I'm the Luna?" I murmur. " Everyone knows you're the Luna," he says, kissing my temple. I look back in the direction the woman has gone but don't see her anymore. " That woman made me feel odd, Nick," I tell him. " What do you mean?" " I felt pain in my chest and on my scalp when she bumped into me," I explain. " I'll look for her. Stay here," he says, ready to leave, but I grab his arm, " No, It's okay. Maybe I'm just tired and need some rest," " I can find her, and you can read her aura, her mind," he insis
" Allies?" he breathes, eyes on me. I only nod with a slight smile. He is not happy. Maximus is watching us, interested. " Leave," Nicholas orders my alpha guest__ my ally. " No, he's not leaving," I firmly say. " Apphia," he warns. " Nicholas," I retort. " I don't want you associating with this man," he says. " Well, there is nothing to be done now, is there? We have been allies for the longest time," I inform him. " How long exactly," my mate grits." seven- eight months," Maximus answers, glancing at me momentarily. Nicholas growls at him, " Apphia is just using you for your position. This man doesn't care about you and has nothing to offer," " I ensured her reputation wasn't tarnished in the eyes of your people and other packs because of your ex-girlfriend. I identified and dealt with entitled alphas and lunas who were pissed that she came into the picture and ' stole' their daughters' prospects to become Luna Queen; I mitigated for the Luna in her projects, and I made su