"I mean...what the heck was that?" Cat shouted once they got into Alex’s truck. "We were all dancing and having fun, and then someone screamed. Did either of you see who? And what was with the lights? You think the animal got someone?" Cat asked, nearly jumping with adrenaline.Jane gave Alex a sideway glance and shrugged. "I don't know," she said. "We heard the same thing—""Where is your shirt?" Cat asked Alex.Alex cleared his throat. "I lost it while dancing—"Cat gave him a deadpan look. "Were you trying to hook up with my friend? Because I think you should know that I don't approve of this. She told me how you treated her in high school, and I think it'll only take two seconds before you go back to dogging her. You keep your penis to yourself.""Oh my gosh," Jane said, covering her face. "He wasn't trying to have sex with me. He's telling the truth. We were dancing and-"Cat sat back and folded her arms over her chest."You two were dancing? Did Mr. Bully get ballsy with his ha
Jane stretched her feet outward and curled her body into the warmth wrapped around her. She felt comfortable and content, considering the night before. Interacting with a huge feral lycan had put her on edge well into her movie marathon with Alex.By the end of it, she felt loopy from beingovertired, and she was sure she shared much more than she planned to with him. He didn't seem to mind; he listened, laughed, and actually made her feel good. What a change college has been so far.Jane pried open her heavy-lidded eyes and blinked, realizing that she was in the living room on the couch. She groaned, trying to remember how she fell to sleep the night before, but everything felt fuzzy. Placing her palm down, she felt them sink into something hard and warm. Then she remembered, and it hit her like a brick to the gut.Her fingers were splayed out across his bare chest, his eyes barely opened, and a sleepy look stared back at her. Jane’s mouth watered at the bedroom look on his face, and
The ride to the pack house was nerve-wracking. Jane’s feet tapped against the floorboard of Alex’s truck, and her fingers tap danced along her things.He could almost taste the nerves dripping from her and the anxious way she kept watching the turns he took. Almost as if she was memorizing it in case she needed to make a run for it. Not that she would make it far without being caught."Calm down," Alex said. “I can smell your fear.""Spoken like a true animal," she said with a chuckle. "I thought that was just horses and the dude from Jeepers Creepers."Alex put his head back and laughed. "Cute. I think I look better than the thousand-year-old fear sucker, but that's just my opinion."She smirked and shrugged. "You don't need an ego boost from me," she said. "All the girls back in high school stroked it enough."Alex placed his palm on his chest as if he were hurt. "Ouch. You know, the more I get to know you, the more sassy I realize you are."Jane hazel gaze shifted toward him. “Oh,
Jane could have sliced the tension in the room with a knife. Alex’s heated stare lingered on Kerry, who Jane was introduced to as the Beta in the pack. Second in command to Alex’s father, Luke Davis.He seemed more easy to get along with than Alex. He was young, blond, and reminded her of a stereotypical surfer guy, but his giddy personality seemed to even out the balance of stern that the Davis men brought to the pack.Kerry placed his palms on the counter and smacked it. "How was it when Mr. Sunshine saved you? Were you shocked?" he asked Jane.Sunshine wouldn't be one of the adjectives that she would choose for Alex. But she picked up on the sarcasm quickly; apparently, Alex didn't like it.She tucked a piece of hair, remembering the sight of his wolf and how human he looked in the eyes. For a brief moment, she understood the saying of the eyes being the key to the soul. "I'm surprised that I didn't pee in my pants, to be honest."Kerry laughed. "I can't imagine how it would feel t
Alex pressed his mouth against her soft plush mouth, and it was everything that he wanted it to be. Her taste, the way she made a slight squeal at the brazen move, or the fact that she didn't run away after he told her.His wolf howled, a cry of relief. It'd felt like forever for his wolf to wait on physical contact. But it'd been worth the wait.Alex didn't hold anything back. He barricaded her against the island and slid his tongue into her warm mouth, feasting on what he forever would taste. It was a honey-covered destiny. He felt his wolf grow aggressive, and he didn't want to scare her off, but his self-control wavered.He slid his palms down her hips and holstered her up to the island, maneuvering into the warmth between her opened thighs.Jane’s hands gripped his t-shirt, and she tugged while making the sweetest moans he'd ever heard.The distant sound of footsteps neared, and against his better judgment, he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers.Jane’s eyes looked wil
Jane watched the fire dance across Alex’s gaze and the sly smirk that tugged at the side of his mouth. Everything about him, at the moment, sent goosebumps up her spine.His chuckle slid against her skin and warmed her blood. "My mother has the guest bedroom across the hallway ready for me. I'll be close, but not too close. She's oddly traditional."Jane respected that. "What do werewolves do for fun?" she asked. "Besides play football?"Alex thought about it. "On a normal night, I'd take a run, but truth be told, I've had enough of my wolf these last few days. Saving you-twice, I might add -has done me in. Plus, he's driving me crazy with his antics to get you naked."Jane’s cheeks turned a bright red, and she smiled. "Sounds like a classy guy."Alex chuckled. "He's a desperate one. He'll get over it. I actually have something that I want to show you," he said, offering his hand to her.She took it, letting him lead her down the staircase and out the backdoor. The evening sun settle
Alex laid in the bed across the hallway from Jane well into the night with no sleep on the horizon. After hearing about Cash going missing, he couldn't stop the feeling that Jane would be next.He knew she was a target just because she made it out, but he also knew that she was protected at the pack house, more so than anywhere else. Alex turned onto his side and stared at the closed bedroom door. A slight chill from the air conditioner slid over his bare torso, but he didn't mind the coolness. He ran on the warm side, anyway.His nightstand clock read 5 AM, which was really too early to get up, but he didn't have a choice because sleep was not coming to him. Shoving the covers from his legs, he stood up and stalked out of the room and into the quiet hallway.Alex pressed his ear against her bedroom door and listened to the soft sound of her breathing before making his way into the kitchen. The moonlight shone through the kitchen window, brightening the island and the silhouette of hi
Jane stared out the window as they drove toward her childhood home. With each mile, she became more and more nervous. She knew Alex wasn't worried about meeting her family, but he'd never met Aunt Demetria.She was her mother's sister, and younger by three years, but more eccentric and ... strange. Aunt Demetria loved crystals and fortunes. She always seemed as if she knew more than she said about everyone. She believed in ghosts and the other side. It creeped Jane out most of the time, but now especially, since she knew there was more to the world than she originally believed.She didn't want Aunt Demetria to get suspicious of Alex and dig deep into his family. She was protective since Jane had no mother to do so for her."Your heart is beating really fast over there, Jane. Are you sure you're okay?" Alex asked.She chuckled and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "I'm fine.""Jane," he chuckled. "What do you think your aunt is going to ask me? Do you think she's so in tune
EpilogueThe smell of freshly cleaned hardwood floors and bittersweet excitement lingered in the air as Kerry stepped into the banquet hall with Demetria.They'd spent the last week alone in his house, healing from the guilt that Demetria held inside.It'd taken Kerry days to convince her to go shopping for a dress for the coronation.It'd taken him even longer to convince her that none of this was her fault. He wasn't sure she really believed him, but she believed him enough to attend the coronation. It was her niece being announced as Luna. She had to be there.Kerry tucked Demetria into the crook of his arm and admired the way she twisted her hair into a braid on top of her head, and the way it exposed her slender neck. He'd made her pick out an expensive dress, one that curved to her body, and showcased just enough, but not too much because Kerry's wolf wasn't having any of that.Kerry caught a glimpse of Dan and Cynthia sitting at a round table in the midst of the main floor. The
Demetria walked with Cynthia from the pack house to Kerry's with nervous butterflies in her stomach. Dan and Kerry stayed back at the pack house to deal with some pack-related issues surrounding the upcoming funerals.She was glad to have something to do other than stick around for that. She felt bad enough, and dealing with funeral arrangements made her skin crawl. Grace had been kind, but she didn't miss the absent look in Alex’s eyes. She worried about him the most. That was his father, and he looked up to him."You're thinking about it, aren't you?" Cynthia asked.Demetria glanced over at her pretty face, and the way her smile warmed Demetria's heart."Yeah. I can't help it. It's just ... engraved into my thoughts, ya know."She nodded. "I do. It will fade with time, but in the meantime, we'll focus our energy on Sabrina. I'm sure she's ready to get out of that thing. I don't get it. Of all things to put her in, ya know. Why not something you can actually cuddle with?"Demetria sm
Demetria followed quietly beside Kerry on their way to the pack house. It'd taken over an hour for her to gain the courage to leave the room. Even with Jane reassuring Demetria, and Kerry on her side, Demetria was hurting.The guilt felt like it would eat her alive.It showed she had a soft heart, but it made Kerry fear that it would weigh her down just after she freed herself. He interlaced his fingers with hers. He hadn't been to the pack house since the night before, but he figured it would be doom and gloom. He sensed the pack's heartache well into the night, until hefinally had to block his mind from any mind link so that he could sleep.The closer they walked to the pack house, the harder Demetria's heart pounded."There is no need to be nervous, D."She pressed her mouth into a hard line. "I don't know if I can face them right now. Grace, Alex…all the pack..."Kerry turned her to face her. "We need to see them now. Waiting will look like we don't care." He tipped her chin upwa
Demetria let the warm water rain down on her back, her face pressed into Kerry's chest as she sobbed. She cried because of Alpha Davis. She cried for the pack and Alex. She cried because she felt guilty. Though deep down, she felt so much relief that it came out in tears.She'd held it in for so long. The pain. The agony. Now they spilled from her like a broken damn. It was finished-mostly. She still had to make a decision about Ivory and Dom, and free Sabrina's spirit from her tortured life inside a bird. What had Jack been thinking?Kerry smoothed his palms down her back.He didn't ask questions about her tears or even try to cheer her up, he just held her. She appreciated it. She needed silence and comfort.They stood there under the waterfall until it turned cold. Demetria hardly noticed.Finally, Kerry picked her up and carried her to his room, where he carefully dried her hair and helped her into some sweats and a t-shirt."I need to go check on everyone, and see what I can do a
Watching Demetria make her way toward the portal sent vomit up Kerry's throat. As if the sound of the wolves tearing into the dragon behind him wasn't stressful enough, and the death of his alpha, now his mate was risking her life... again.The inky blackness crawled upward from the ground and molded into Jack’s form.When he blinked, realizing everything that happened, what little resolve he had leftevaporated. Dan still cradled Cynthia to his chest, daring Jack to make a move and touch his mate again.Jack’s deep chuckle melted into a low hum, and then a roar like he was the animal, not the pack. Putting his arms outward, his body shook, and he began to seethe. It reminded Kerry of a deranged 'Dragon Ball Z' character, and he fought his laugh.Demetria made eye contact with him from across the yard and nodded. Stepping closer to the portal, Kerry curled his fingers into a fist. He could see the heat licking at her body, forming sweat against her skin. He went to step toward her, t
Demetria's body went numb, any idea ofmovement vanquished from her being, Ikerendering her helpless. The hope she had slowly leaked out like a pierced balloon, and her air went along with it. They should have never let their guard down, not even for a second.Cynthia put her hands outward, and Demetria knew it wouldn't work. He was using her to get what he wanted, the pendant. Because Jack would die trying to fight for Sabrina. If he wasn't so hateful and selfish, it would have been romantic."Don't even think about it," Jack said. "That dragon will set this entire yard on fire in seconds, and Demetria will be tossed into the portal forever."Kerry shifted, quickly, and stepped toward Cynthia. "He's not going to toss her in there," he whispered to Cynthia. "He needs her to bring Sabrina back, and she is his vessel."There was a twinkle in Jack’s eye. "You're right,” he said, tossing Demetria to the ground and lifting Cynthia up. Cynthia screamed, but invisible hands wrapped around
The ground broke open beneath Kerry's paws. Frantically, he searched the grounds for Demetria, seeing Jane beside her,while Jack wreaked havoc around them.‘The hellhounds are almost gone’, Alpha Davis said through the mind link.Kerry glanced around at the wolves fighting the last two, while Roan fought Dom like he'd been waiting his entire life for it. Kerry would have unleashed hell on the siblings too if one of them turned him into a cat. Of all things to be turned into.“We need to bring Jack down”, Alpha Davis said.Kerry nodded. Walking over the cracks in the earth, his wolf stumbled to stay upright. What Kerry would do to have the balance of a cat right about now. Jane protected Demetria, but Kerry sensed Demetria's anger growing by the second.Cynthia clung to the porch railing of the pack house as the earth moved beneath them. If they didn't get them away from the house, it'd collapse, and he was sure an earthquake caused by a deranged warlock wasn't covered by insurance.Al
Demetria's senses kicked into overdrive.Everything, everyone, around her shifted in one second, the wolves transitioned into their wolf forms, while Cynthia and Demetria braced themselves for impact.Kerry's wolf landed before Demetria, blocking her from harm. She knew he meant well, but she needed to see to use her magic. The beast the evil twins brought with them roared, and it sent a shiver down Demetria's spine.She knew better than to radiate any fear because creatures like that fed off it. Though, while peering around Kerry's hulking wolf, she noticed several wolves attacking the beast in teams of three and four, tearing him down inch by inch.Ivory cowered down against the base of the tree where Kitty had been hiding. Ike had her trapped there because of her betrayal. Demetria wasn't sure if he would let her go or not, but she looked terrified that he knew the truth.Kitty, who was a very attractive alpha, was helping fight two hellhounds at once."We have to move," Demetria s
Kerry's wolf skimmed the surface, begging to be let free from his chains at the sight of them. The tension that formed in the air crawled over his skin. As if his wolf needed another reason to hate Jack, he eyed Demetria like he'd missed her.It sent anger up his spine and into his throat like fire. His wolf growled lowly, howling in the midst of him, making Kerry's body shake with a need to shift. Demetria reached over and grabbed Kerry's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.It wasn't just the siblings that had his wolf on edge, it was the hellhounds crouched and ready to fight beside them. Then the creature lurking in the back. His coat was so black that it nearly blended into the darkness around them. His ghoulish red eyes were vibrant and shifty. Kerry couldn't be sure, but he thought the creature smiled. He'd never seen anything like it before. He stood nearly eight feet tall, burly like a bear but cunning like a person. He looked plucked from Hell, right along with the hellhou