‘She's nervous. Go take a shower with her’, Alex’s wolf said.Alex rolled his eyes and tugged out of his t-shirt, tossing it back into his duffle bag. "I'm glad you're not in control of this, or we'd end up with a rape charge and in jail."He huffed. “She's your mate. There aren't too many ways, besides bullying her, that you could mess it up... and you know how that went.”He blocked out his wolf, not wanting to think about the ways he bullied her growing up. It was enough that she'd forgiven him, and thinking about it before he potentially marked her wouldn't get him in the mood.He grabbed another shirt, slipped it on, and then some blankets and pillows from the closet in their room before walking toward the front door. He stopped cold when he noticed Demetria and Kerry in the kitchen. He couldn't tell where one ended and the other one began. So, he slowly passed them and walked out the door, hopefully without disturbing them. They looked really busy.Alex hopped into the bed of hi
The heavy feeling of sleep weighed Jane down when she tried to pry open her eyes. She slid her bare legs against the soft sheets of the bed beneath her and stretched her arms above her head, feeling a rough tug in her lower belly, bringing back the memories from the night before.Jane sat up quickly, seeing no imprint of where Alex slept next to her or any indication he'd been there recently. She reached up and touched the sore spot on her neck, kicked off the covers, and walked down the hallway to the bathroom.She looked well-rested, considering the amount of sleep she got the night before. Her hair was wild, but…The mark on her neck was bright blue, a full moon, with two twinkling stars above it. She gasped, her fingertips traced the outline as her heart hammered into her ribcage. "My mark," she mumbled to herself.It was beautiful and perfect, but…Alex wasn't near so she could show him. She didn't hear anyone moving around in the rest of the house, or any sign of life, and it in
"Where is Tibbs?" Coach Bear shouted. Alex continued his stretch, avoiding eye contact as Coach stopped in front of the players, hands on his hips, anger written all over his face. "No one?" he asked. "No one knows where our running back is? How about we run laps until someone confesses?" Jaxton kicked Alex’s ankle nonchalantly and gave him a look. Alex didn't care where Tibbs was, not after he interrogated him about Cash, but he didn't want to run any extra laps. One of the seniors mumbled beneath his breath. "I think he was in the group of kids that went hunting for that thing last night." Coach Bear swore underneath his breath. "You've got to be kidding me? When was the last time anyone saw him?" One of the freshmen raised his hand. "This isn't first grade, son!" Coach Bear shouted. "He came back to the dorm room really late the night before, saying he was hearing stuff. He went to his dorm, and I haven't seen him since." Coach Bear glanced over at his assistant, Coach Joh
What a nightmare.Jane drove Alex’s vehicle toward the pack house, her grip tight on the steering wheel, as Alex sat in the middle of her and Delia.He was afraid to let her sit next to Jane in case she tried to run them off the road. At this point, Jane welcomed it.After she chased Delia to the dark room, everything went to hell. Delia moved quickly, surprising Jane, and cornered Kerry in the blink of an eye. Where she'd learned to move like that, Jane didn't want to know. But she did know one thing, Delia knew all about lycans and werewolves because she hunted them.She had no idea that was even a thing. Hunting supernatural beings? Who knew?She'd pulled the crossbow out of nowhere and handled it like a pro. It'd scared the pee out of her.When they pulled into the pack house, Alpha Davis and a few other wolves made their way out to the truck. Two of them ushered a silent Delia toward the cellar, while Alpha Davis took Tibbs to the house.When Jane shut the car door, Grace barrele
"He's scared to death," Alex’s dad said. "He's shaking."Alex watched Tibbs as he glanced around the room, jumping at every little sound. The lycan had definitely done a number with him, and sadly, they weren't any closer to finding him since Tibbs couldn't remember anything. He also didn't know how to communicate with the lycan. The lycan communicated with him, which wasn't helpful in the least. Alex sat down across the table from Tibbs. "Where were you when he attacked you? I know you went on the hunt."Tibbs's brows furrowed in concentration, and his fingers clutched around the edge of the table. "He -he came out of nowhere." His gaze shifted toward Alex. "He says you're a wolf," he whispered. "Do you turn into a wolf, too?"Alex glanced at his father who looked deeply worried."Did he turn into a human?" Alex asked. "Or did he stay a wolf?""Red eyes," Tibbs whispered to himself.Alex’s dad gestured for Alex to follow him toward the corner of the room. "I don't think we're going
The feeling of surprise and fear sucked the voice from Jane’s throat, making it hard to breathe. Whoever slung her over their shoulder was most likely male due to the ease and the broadness of his shoulders.When he took the first step, Jane’s voice returned, and she screamed at the top of her lungs. Swinging her limbs wildly, she caught the post of Alex’s bed with her hand and jerked them both back."Help!" she screamed, praying Alex could hear her plea, or feel her fear.This bastard was not taking her anywhere.He grunted and jerked Jane until her fingertips slipped from the post, and he hauled her toward the open bedroom window. Fear snaked its claws down her spine, shoving her into survival gear.She kicked and pulled until he struggled to keep her in his arms. The bedroom door swung open in a loud swish, and Alex stood in the door like an Avenger.Jane could hardly see through the darkness of the room, but she knew it was him. She smelled him and felt him near. His showing up fu
Alex’s wolf pawed and spun circles as Jane pushed the last of her clothes from her legs, and kicked them over to the pile beside her. It'd been a whirlwind of a night, but Alex couldn't think of anything better to calm himself down.He'd heard rumors of mates being able to calm their mate's wolf, and he knew now that they weren't rumors, because peace settled over him at the sight of her. Her soft curves, flawless pale skin, and the blonde locks cascading down her shoulders made his fingers twitch.She'd been in the arms of the enemy only minutes before, her fear had strangled him as he began to cook their dinner that had been long forgotten. He'd wanted to shift and rip him to shreds for thinking about taking her. It all seemed like a ploy, or an ill attempt to see if they could get away with it.Either way, it'd put Alex on edge, and now Jane was going to walk him back, and bring him to the present with her sweet scent. He couldn't fathom why he treated her the way he did, or how s
The rough feel of Alex’s hands slid over Jane’s skin, down beneath the top of her thighs, holstering her up onto his hips. Trapped right where she wanted to be forever. She'd fallen into the bliss of his mouth, his taste, everything that made them so perfect for each other filled her at once.Jane swam in the warmth of his scent-then it hit her. That wasn't his scent.Reality slapped her, knocking her off her dream wave, and she sat up. It took several seconds for her eyes to adjust from sleep, but she knew instantly that she wasn't in Alex’s bed. Or any familiar room.The high vaulted ceiling was engraved with detailed crowns and swords in the marbled stone. Everything about the room screamed royalty-the four-post bed with a sheer canopy above her, the satin sheets, and the deep wood furniture. Even the window that led toward the balcony was beautiful stained glass.Jane remembered being taken once, and Alex saving her, but after that, everything was fuzzy. She rubbed her forehead,
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