“What, what did you just say?” Jonathan asked, his eyes wide. “Jojo?” she said again. Jonathan took in a deep breath. Confusion spread across his face. “How do you, where did you hear that name?” Amelia shook her head. She didn’t know. The name had just come to her. But before Amelia could explain that she didn’t know, they heard a loud voice. “There you are!” They turned to look as a figure came bounding towards them. They squinted in the rain to see who it was. As it approached, they realized it was Alfred! “Found you! Finally!” He was breathing heavily and bent over to catch his breath. “Where have you been? The whole resort is out looking for you two.” He took a good look at them and raised his eyebrow. Amelia was wearing a shirt that barely covered her butt. It was soaked through and clung to her chest, revealing the outline of her chest. As for Jonathan, he was naked from the waist up. “Seriously?” Alfred asked, a mischievous smile on his face.
Gabriel slowly opened his eyes and got his bearings. He was in his hotel room. His body ached, but not that badly. His alpha wolf was working hard to heal him. His wounds were already closing and his swollen bruises were fading. The events came back to him. The mountainside. The rainstorm. Amelia with Jonathan. And then – The cascade of rocks and mud. It had hit him hard and swept him down the mountain. Then a massive boulder had slammed into him, pushing him off the edge of the cliff. It was a long way down. He could still feel the sensation of falling uncontrollably, as he bounced and ricocheted off the mountain. Then the impact of the hard ground as the rubble and debris almost buried him completely. His wolf was strong though. It had only taken him a few moments to catch his breath. He was able to rise, pushing off the rocks and tree branches, with only one thought on his mind – Amelia. Her name had been like a guiding light, pushing him
Alfred’s entrance completely changed the mood in the room, and Amelia figured this was a good time for her to make an exit. She was overwhelmed by Gabriel’s confusion, and telling him how she felt about Jonathan had been really emotionally draining, although she was glad she did. Gabriel deserved to know the truth, even if it hurt him.Alfred turned to Gabriel, a smirk on his face. “Glad to see you’re fully clothed,” Alfred teased. “I wasn’t sure what I was walking into, with you two alone in here.”It was meant as a friendly jab, but Gabriel lowered his head and sighed deeply.“Uh oh,” Alfred said. “Looks like someone’s a little down. How’s about we have a chat.”Gabriel was grateful to have someone to talk to, and the moment he opened his mouth, all his thoughts, feelings, and memories came out in a jumble. Alfred sat and listened patiently as Gabriel told him all about their time together at Stormfang Pack, about how he hadn’t treated her right, and about what she had just told him
Amelia didn’t want to eavesdrop on her best friend, but Davison and Olivia’s voices carried through the air; Amelia couldn’t help but hear them. “I already told you,” Olivia seethed at her father. “He should have proposed to me himself. It’s not right, finding out from your FATHER that the wolf you love wants to marry you? What’s romantic about that?” “Asher was only doing what he thought was best. It’s honorable, asking the father for his permission. Now it’s about time you let this go. So the engagement didn’t go exactly as planned. So what? You’re engaged! And quite frankly, that’s all that matters!” “Maybe to you,” Olivia said, her voice high and tight, “but the ACTUAL proposal matters to me. You know what? I…” “Ahem,” Amelia said shyly, interrupting the argument. Davison saw her and immediately turned away from Olivia. “So sorry, Princess. Just a little tussle between me and my daughter. Nothing to concern yourself with.” O
“Let’s go for a ride into town, shall we?” Amelia asked Olivia. Olivia was still upset by the argument with her father and she figured Olivia could use a nice visit into the small town nearby. Plus, Amelia could use a break, too. “Seriously,” Gabriel says, turning around himself the way a dog chases his tail. “Alfred was right here, I swear. I don’t know where he went.” “It’s all right,” Amelia giggled. She linked arms with Olivia. “Olivia and I are heading into town for a bit. You do what you need to do here. We’ll meet back at the resort for an update later. Sound good?” Gabriel nodded, still confused as to where Alfred could be. But he had some things to check into here at the camp since he’d been resting and absent the past few days. “Wait!” he called after the girls as they walked away. “Pick me up some donuts? The little shop by the lake has the best ones. Seriously. They’ll change your life!” Amelia chuckled and nodded. “
Gabriel finished up his work at the camp and decided to reward himself with a nice cold beer at the pub. He was looking forward to sitting alone for a bit while he waited for Amelia to return from town. He had a full progress report to give her about the electricity station and he knew she’d be happy to hear it.But when he walked into the pub, he found a drunken Alfred slunked over at the bar. Gabriel had to make a choice: ignore Alfred and have a nice, quiet drink (ONE drink) alone, or join him and likely get soused out of his mind. It wasn’t much of a choice. Gabriel made a beeline for Alfred, plunking himself down on the bar stool beside him. “I must say,” Gabriel teased, “this is the first time I’ve seen you alone in this bar. Usually, you’re surrounded by beautiful women, flirting and drinking away the night. Or the afternoon.” Gabriel got the bartender's attention and held up two fingers, motioning to Alfred’s drink on the counter. The bartender smiled a
Gabriel was a little startled by Alfred’s confession. Alfred thought Olivia was his mate? How odd. He knew Alfred would never confess this unless he was drunk. Gabriel felt sorry for Alfred; he knew all too well what it was like to pine after someone who didn’t return the feelings. “Tough break, Alfred. Really tough break,” Gabriel consoled him. “Nah. It’s fine,” Alfred hiccupped. “She’s too much of a handful anyway. Women,” Alfred sighed. Gabriel ordered two more beer. “Well, speaking of women,” Gabriel said. “I was hoping you could help me with Amelia’s birthday. I don’t know what to get her. It has to be really, really good.” Alfred thought for a moment. “I don’t know either,” he confessed. “Amelia’s not the little girl I once knew. She’s changed a lot. She used to just be a spoiled girl, like Olivia. She was really young when our dad took over the Alpha position. She’s been spoiled rotten ever since. She’s not the same though now. She us
“Maybe this isn’t the best time,” Alfred whispered as they walked through the lobby. “Let’s just go back to the bar and have another round?” But Gabriel shook his head. “Don’t worry. I won’t cause a scene with Jonathan. I’m on my best behavior, remember? For Amelia?” Alfred nodded, but he took his friend’s word at face value. Outside, Jonathan was busy at work on the promotion of the resort and their new celebrity building program which he cleverly named: Star Shine. A stack of papers sat before him on a desk he’d set up and he was rifling through them. They were submissions from young, talented people, all applying to be part of the program. He’d created a media campaign to attract the best and brightest undiscovered talent. They’d all registered on the website, filled out the questionnaire, and then submitted a video audition of their talent. He was overjoyed at the response! More than 200 people had submitted their application. Most of th
A hush fell over the crowd. Jonathan stood strong. At once, he possessed the air of authority that only an Alpha had. “But you didn’t want it,” Lucas cried, shaking his finger at Jonathan. “You never wanted to be Alpha. You told me that. It’s MINE. I’m the new alpha. Not you.” “I changed my mind,” Jonathan said. Then he looked to Magnus. Magnus smiled at him and nodded. “Are you sure?” Magnus asked. “I am, your highness,” he replied. “Then it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you the new Alpha of Blackseed,” Magnus declared. The crowd burst into applause and Jonathan beamed. True, he had never wanted the role before, but things had changed. His people, his pack, they needed his help. “As the new alpha of Blackseed, you have my word that Blackseed will no longer be dealing with illegal potions. We will find a new enterprise, a new business. We will become a media conglomerate, under my rule.” Amelia s
“Everyone, gather around,” Magnus said, his Alpha King voice reverberating around the room. Everyone stopped and stared in his direction. Mercy’s news had been most shocking indeed. Magnus knew that Sephora was up to something but without tangible proof, there was no way to charge her. He had planned on launching an investigation into Sephora and her Blackseed Pack dealings, but now that Mercy had come forward, he didn’t need to. He had all the evidence he needed, and he knew where to collect more.The DJ cut the music. “I have an important announcement to make.” Magnus had wasted no time. He waited for the crowd to settle, some in wolf form, some still in human form. This was odd? What announcement? Right in the middle of the party? It must be very important if Magnus was announcing it in the middle of the party. “Something has recently come to my attention,” Magnus declared. “And it is something we MUST address immediately. There is a traitor amongst us.”
Gabriel pulled Mercy back to the party. He told her to wait here, he was going to talk to Jonathan. Mercy nodded. There was something about Gabriel that made her feel safe. She didn’t know him well, but he was an Alpha, and a strong one at that. So she did as she said. Gabriel made a bee-line for Jonathan. He pulled him aside and started talking to him. Jonathan’s eyes grew wide and he looked over at Mercy, shock on his face. Then Gabriel pulled him in closer and kept talking. Jonathan’s face changed and he started nodding along, obviously agreeing with whatever Gabriel was telling him. Then he smiled. The two of them came back to Mercy. “Mercy,” Jonathan said, reaching for her hands. “You could have told me. You SHOULD have told me. You can trust me. I’m one of your best friends.” Then he brought her in for a hug. It felt so good to be in Jonathan’s arms. He was her oldest friend. She had been terrified that he wouldn’t accept her when he found out sh
Gabriel and Mercy walked over to a quiet spot by the edge of the forest. “You know, don’t you?” Mercy asked, her eyes concerned as she searched his face. “Yes,” he said. “How did you find out?” she asked, already knowing the answer. “It was while you were playing. I realized, you were enchanting us. Mercy, you’re an enchantress?” Mercy looked away for a moment and he could see the pain on her face. “Not exactly,” she said. “Well, yes. But I didn’t know. I honestly didn’t know. It was Sephora. She kept my secret and then, at the warehouse, she…she told me.” “Your secret is safe with me, Mercy,” he told her. “Don’t worry about that. I won’t say anything.” She looked at him with gratitude on her face. “Is it..is witch blood then?” Mercy sighed. He already knew, so she might as well tell him. “Yes,” she said. “Sephora told me. I guess my mother was a witch. She fell in love with a wolf and they, they had me.”
Sephora grabbed Lucas by the arm and hauled him away.“I’m very sorry, Jonathan,” Olivia said. “This must be a bit shocking.”Jonathan nodded then he shrugged. “Not really,” he replied. “I think I’ve always known, deep down, that Lucas wasn’t her real son. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t change anything. It does explain why he was so awful to me all those years, though. I guess he knew, too, in his heart of hearts. He was afraid I would take the Alpha role away from him. I still don’t want it though. He can have it. He’s still the son of a previous Alpha, right?”“Uh, I just thought of something,” Olivia said then, her face pale. “Lucas is my half-brother.” Everyone let that sink in. Then Alfred broke the silence.“Tough break, kid.” He laughed. “But you know what they say? You can’t choose your family.”“No, I guess not,” Olivia laughed. “But you can choose your friends.” Amelia and Jonathan smiled at Olivia.“I feel like I should go,” Agatha said. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”
Sephora recognized Agatha the moment she walked in. That bitch! That human that stole her husband’s heart with her seduction? What was she doing here? Sephora’s mind flashed back to the day she found her husband was cheating on her was a human! Sure, Agatha claimed that he was keeping her there against her will, but she was lying. Sephora knew it. She was perfectly content in her little love nest. The cottage her husband gave her! And now she was pregnant? If the pack found out, Sephora would be the laughing stock of the entire pack! So she had quickly devised a plan. She would keep the baby and raise it as her own. Her husband could keep his pretty little human. Whatever. It didn’t matter. As long as NO ONE KNEW! But then she’d run away and people had found out. She’d gone straight to the Alpha King himself. Sephora had rejected it all, called Agatha a liar. Why would her husband, the Alpha of Blackseed, love a lowly human. It was preposterous! Most people had b
“Davison,” Agatha smiled. “Come, sit with us.” “Oh no, I can’t stay long. And neither can you. Olivia’s friends are waiting for her at the gala. I just thought I’d check in to see how the little reunion is going.”“Reunion? Dad, did you…did you know about this? That she was coming here tonight?” “Of course. I’m the one who invited her.” “What?”“She looks just like the pictures,” Agatha said, stroking Olivia’s hair.“Pictures? What pictures?” Olivia asked. Something wasn’t making sense here. Agatha told her she had left when Olivia was little. But these two were talking like old friends? “He’s kept in the loop,” Agatha smiled. “Over the years.” “Really?” Olivia asked. This was all news to her. “Yes,” Davison confirmed. “I’ve been in contact with Agatha over the years. She made a huge sacrifice, leaving you. So I made it my mission to keep her updated on you and your life.” “He sends me pictures. And tells me about what you’re u
Lucas. Of course. Olivia nodded. There had been rumors that Lucas wasn’t Sephora’s son by birth, which is why Lucas has been so mean to Jonathan over the years. Jonathan had told Amelia that his brother had even tried to kill him once. That’s why Jonathan had left the pack. It was ironic, because Jonathan didn’t even care about being Alpha. He didn’t want it. But it made sense now as to why Lucas was so aggressive and hated Jonathan so much. Deep down, Lucas must have known that Sephora was not his birth mother. Which meant he wasn’t the rightful heir to the pack, Jonathan was. So Lucas had tried to force Jonathan to leave, to get him out of the way, so Jonathan wouldn’t be a threat. This was all starting to make sense now. “It was a secret, one that I swore to keep.” “What happened after Lucas was born?” “I stayed. For a bit. I didn’t know what else to do. But he…he got worse. Meaner. More forceful. I told him I wanted to leave, and he threatened me.
Olivia stumbled backwards, shocked. “Mmmm, mother?” she stammered. Amelia grabbed Olivia’s arm to steady her. “That can’t be.” The woman looked uneasily at everyone in the wings. “Can I talk to you?” she asked, stepping towards Olivia. “Will you walk with me? So I can explain?” the woman asked. Olivia shook her head in disbelief and turned to Alfred. He smiled gently at her and nodded his head. “Give her a chance to explain,” he told her. “Trust me, I’m just as shocked as you are, love. But she deserves a chance to explain herself.” Amelia and Jonathan agreed.“I don’t know what’s going on, but I agree with Alfred. You should talk to her.” So Olivia left the wings of the stage and followed the woman to the bench overlooking the lake.The gala was in full swing inside and they could hear the music and the people laughing. It was a calm evening, and the water was so calm it looked like glass under the light of the moon. “I know this must be quite the